Jan-17SI Flashcards
Jan-17SI-Index
7.1. SECC
-7.1.1. SUMIT Bose Panel Submits Report on SECC
-7.1.2. Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011: Boon or
Bane
7.2. Adoption Regulations 2017
7.3. National Action Plan for Children, 2016
7.4. Food Regulations
-7.4.1. Draft Regulations on Fortification of Foods
-7.4.2. Law Commission Recommendation on Food
Laws
7.5. Oxfam Report on Income Disparity 2017
7.6. Sex Ratio in Haryana
7.7. Millets: Future of Food and Farming
7.8. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana
7.9. Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
7.10. Universal Immunisation Programme
7.11. Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY)
- SECC
- 7.1.1. SUMIT BOSE PANEL SUBMITS REPORT ON SECC
Why in News?
An Expert group headed by Sumit Bose on Socio Economic and Caste census (SECC) recently presented its report to Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
Sumit bose panel was set up to -
Study the criteria for allocation of resources to states as per SECC.
Identification of beneficiaries under various pro-poor programmes using SECC data.
Need of the report
SECC data on rural areas was released in 2015. The committee was needed for the better use of the data in the government schemes and target beneficiaries.
Findings of the report
It recommends replacing Below Poverty Line (BPL) by multidimensional SECC for different govt. schemes.
It recommends using SECC data for all schemes of central and state governments to ensure targeting of right beneficiaries.
The panel made recommendations on the use of SECC data for various programs of the MoRD -
MNREGA – Its focus should shift to the regions with a greater concentration of deprived households and landless manual labourers.
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) - Committee noted that NRLM faces issues due to a lack of capacity and insufficient human resources. So it recommended
o Using SECC data to plan for poverty free Panchayats.
o Resource allocation to states under NRLM using an index with deprivation parameters like -
Female headed households with no adult member
SC/ST households with no literate adult
Landless households deriving major part of income from manual casual labour.
Initially, allocate 70% resources using this index and later scale it to 80% and 100%.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) - Presently, resource allocation is based on 75% weight to SECC housing deprivation data and 25% to the head count ratio of poverty.
The committee recommends 100% weight to SECC housing deprivation data.
National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) – Committee recommends -
Assistance under NSAP to be decided by SECC data.
Starting programs, including widow pension, school fees and medical insurance for disabled children.
Increase pension under NSAP as per Consumer Price Index.
States should provide at least an equivalent contribution as Centre towards NSAP.
Significance of the report
The report gives broad guidelines to implement SECC data.
The report notes that using SECC would help to -
Improve the efficacy of programme interventions and its improved outcomes.
Streamline programme administration.
Expand coverage of the programmes and reduce duplication of benefit and fraud in them.
Dynamic monitoring of the living standards of beneficiaries over time.
Better targeting of vulnerable sections of the society and enabling expansion of coverage.
Better budgetary planning and allocation of resources for various programmes.
Challenges observed
The report wants regular update and verification of SECC data that would put additional burden on public resources.
The urban caste data has not yet been released thus limiting the use of SECC data to only schemes in rural areas as of now.
Box–Socio Economic and Caste Census (2011)
SECC was conducted both in urban and rural areas in the country, to collect socio-economic and caste data of households.
It was conducted by MoRD, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner and the State Governments.
It used different committee methodologies in urban and rural areas –
NC Saxena committee (for rural areas) – It was established to suggest design of new BPL census. It recommended a three-fold classification of households (HHs) -
o Excluded - These HHs would be identified by assets and income and would be excluded from welfare benefits of the Government.
o Automatically included – It would include HHs with extreme social destitution and would be automatically included for government benefits.
o Others – They would be ranked on the basis of multiple deprivation indicators and would be eligible for graded benefits. Eg. Presence of an able and literate adult etc.
SR Hashim committee (for urban areas) –
o It also followed a three step approach like NC Saxena.
o Only difference is that both committees used different parameters for classification.
Eg. In urban areas pucca houses with greater than 4 rooms was excluded whereas in rural areas it was three rooms or more.
Major findings of SECC are – Only rural SECC has been publicly released till now.
About 19% of India’s rural population was having at least one of seven socio-economic parameters of deprivation.
30% of rural HHs are landless and derive income from manual, casual labour.
The second most common form of deprivation was literacy with 23.5% rural HHs having no literate adults above the age of 25.
7.1.2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CASTE CENSUS, 2011: BOON OR BANE
Why in news?
Government has decided to use SECC 2011 instead of Poverty line method for implementing socio-economic welfare programmes to effectively tackle poverty by removing undeserving beneficiaries.
SECC will now be used in schemes like MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin, National Rural Livelihood Mission, etc to identify beneficiaries and expand the direct benefit scheme as a part of its plan to build upon the JAM (Jan Dhan-Adhaar-Mobile) trinity.
Background
Identifying the poor is the first crucial step in designing any welfare program.Since Independence, India has used a poverty-line method to count the number of poor.
Families below the poverty line (BPL) are eligible for several government benefits like subsidized food (through the Public Distribution system), pensions, and self-employment programs, etc.
Presently in India BPL is determined according to Suresh Tendulkar committee. It is based on a poverty line basket which includes both food items (determined using calorific norms) and non-food items (clothing, education, rent, etc). As per this committee poverty line stood at Rs 27 and Rs 33 for rural and urban area with total poor population estimated at 27 crore (22% of population).
Why SECC is better than Poverty line method
While poverty line method identifies number of poors, SECC identifies who actually are the poor. Hence it is more targeted and precise.
It will even help in fine tuning the beneficiaries list by excluding undeserving candidates’ especially affluent people and thus tackle fraud and duplication issue.
The BPL approach was narrow as it focused on income and consumption expenditure on the other hand SECC gave a holistic and complete picture.
Binary approach of BPL method either include the households in all schemes or exclude them from all however if SECC will be used each household will be mapped on different deprivation factors and if found
deprived they will be eligible for that specific scheme. For example some households may be eligible for food subsidy while other may be eligible for LPG subsidy. So SECC will help in eradicating not only poverty but also various deprivations.
Way forward
SECC data must be regularly updated and verified to remove beneficiaries especially those who were on the fringes and have overcame their deprivation, which would put additional burden on public resources.
SECC provides government with suitable opportunity to single out “actual deprived” people and aid in alleviation of poverty in the long run.
7.2. ADOPTION REGULATIONS 2017
Why in News?
Government recently notified Adoption regulations
2017 framed by Central Adoption Resource Authority
(CARA) to replace the 2015 adoption guidelines.
Background
Earlier legal adoption was available only to the Hindu
community under Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance
Act 1956.
Other communities could only act as legal guardians under the Guardians and Wards Act 1890.
Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act) promoted uniform code for
adoption for all communities.
Issues involved
The regulation creates an institutional mechanism to
regulate the process of adoption and thus increases
transparency and accountability.
India has the largest population of children in the world.
Adoption is a solution for both childless couples and the homeless children. It can be an alternative option to surrogacy which is considered to be exploitative.
Need of the regulation
While the 2015 guidelines had no legal powers, the 2017 regulations will have enforcement powers.
The regulations will lay timelines for stakeholders to clear the adoption procedure, application of birth
certificates, passports, petitions etc.
What does the regulation say?
Intercountry and intra-country adoption procedures have been
defined clearly.
CARA will report and facilitate all adoptions under the JJ Act, 2015
through CARINGS.
For safeguards, CARA would maintain adoption records and
ensure post-adoption follow up.
Currently only biological parents or adoptive parents are recognized leaving out the step parent of any legal responsibility. The regulation –
Defines the step parent legally
Allows birth certificate of the adopted child to have their name in it.
District Child protection Unit (DCPU) will maintain a panel of professionally qualified or trained social workers.
Couples with more than three children shall not be eligible for adoption except in special needs.
Significance of the regulation
It is a part of reforms towards a Uniform Civil Code as per the Constitutional Article 44.
It would remove the challenges faced by CARA and adoption agencies to streamline adoption process. It makes the adopted children legal heirs in matters of inheritance of property.
Challenges
Lack of proper implementation can make the adoption process exploitative for children.
Capacity building of the workforce is a prerequisite for the success of the regulation.
Way Forward
Adoption regulations 2017 will help in streamlining the process of adoption. Further steps like strengthening CARA by appropriate funding and skilled workforce will add to the better regulation of the adoption industry. It is a welcome step towards fulfilling child rights and adult parenthood.
Box–1-CARA
It is a statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child Development under Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
It is a nodal body for adoption of Indian children.
It deals in orphan, abandoned or surrendered children.
It deals with inter-country adoptions according to the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993.
Box–2-Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 makes CARA responsible to
Promote in-country and interstate adoptions.
Frame regulations on adoptions.
Promote intercountry adoptions as per Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
Box–3-Central Adoption Resource Information Guidance System (CARINGS)
It is an e-governance measure to facilitate child adoption.
It will be a centralized data bank of adoptable children and PAPs.
All DCPUs will be connected online to CARINGS
7.3. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR CHILDREN, 2016
Why in News?
National Action Plan for Children, 2016 (NAPC) was
launched by Ministry of Women and Child
Development (WCD) to celebrate the National Girl
Child Day.
Issues Involved
Children are one of the most vulnerable communities in
India lacking in political, social and economic rights.
They suffer from a gamut of issues like poor child
education and health care, child labour, child marriage
etc.
Article 23 of the constitution gives the right to people (especially children) against exploitation and the State’s duty to protect it.
Need of the initiative
The National Policy for Children was adopted by the Government of India (GOI) in 2013.
NPAC links the 2013 Policy to actionable strategies under its priority areas.
It aims to coordinate all stakeholders including GOI and civil society organizations to address child rights.
India brought the National Policy of Children in 2013 for emerging issues and also proposed a National Action Plan to implement it.
Provisions of the Action Plan
Some of the provisions of the National Child Action Plan of 2016 are as follows-
On Child Survival, Health and Nutrition
It will help in the improving child health by universalizing the maternal and child healthcare.
It will also give emphasis on new born care by initiatives like universal immunization.
It will prevent mental and physical disabilities through timely measures for pre-natal, peri-natal and post-natal care of mother and child.
On Education and Development
It will provide universal and equitable access to quality Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for all children below six years of age.
It will promote affordable and accessible quality education up to the Secondary level for all children.
On Child Protection
It will help strengthen legislative, administrative, and institutional redressal mechanisms for Child Protection at all level.
On Child Participation
It will ensure that children actively participate in planning and implementation of programmes concerning them.
Significance of the Action Plan
NPAC will take Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in account and provide a roadmap to achieve them.
NPAC puts focus on emerging concerns for children such as online child abuse, children affected by disasters and climate change etc.
According to the 2013 Policy, NPAC will form a National Co-ordination and Action Group (NCAG) under the Ministry of WCD. It will coordinate, implement and monitor the plan.
Box–National Policy of Children 2013
It recognizes a child to be a person below the age of 18 yrs.
It recognizes that children are not a homogenous group and require different responses.
It aims to give a social safety net to family to help nurture child.
It says that every child has universal, inalienable and indivisible human rights.
It has four priority areas:
oSurvival, health and nutrition
oEducation and development
oChild Protection
- FOOD REGULATIONS
- 7.4.1. DRAFT REGULATIONS ON FORTIFICATION OF FOODS
Why in News?
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued
draft regulations to allow food fortification in foods for public
health benefit.
Need of the regulation
Global Nutrition Reports have repeatedly alarmed India over its
stagnant malnutrition problems.
To avoid malnutrition, one of the viable solutions is food
fortification.
Background
In 2016 a Group of Secretaries on “Education & Health –
Universal Access and Quality” identified food fortification in
items like salt, milk etc. with micronutrients to be completed in
3 years to address malnutrition in India.
National Summit on Fortification of Food was held in New
Delhi in 2016.
In 2017, FSSAI also released the comprehensive draft
regulations on food fortification.
Issues Involved
It is still not mandatory to fortify food and is limited to only
voluntary initiatives.
There are no fortification standards to enhance the efficacy of
the fortified food.
About the regulation
These regulations prescribe standards for fortification of salt,
oil, milk, vanaspati, atta, maida and rice.
FSSAI may make fortification of food mandatory on
Government of India (GOI) orders based on extent and severity
of public health.
It defines both the minimum and the maximum threshold of micronutrients to be added in food.
For quality assurance, the following steps are proposed –
Certification required from a food laboratory notified by FSSAI.
Record keeping including the source of fortificant being procured.
Random testing of fortified food.
Regular audit of the processing stages.
Adoption of Good manufacturing practices as ordered by FSSAI.
All fortified foods whether mandated or voluntary should bear the fortification logo and details of fortificant on its package.
FSSAI shall be responsible to encourage the production, manufacture, distribution, sale and consumption of fortified food in ways like –
Advising about fortified food in Government-funded programmes.
Organizing public awareness, education and advocacy campaigns on fortified food.
Conducting technical assistance programmes for small manufacturers in fortification.
Encourage governments to give financial incentives like subsidies and loans for manufacturers and packers for food fortification.
Provisions of the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods Act 1992 would not be affected by the regulation.
Significance of the regulation
The regulations provides for specific role of FSSAI in promotion for food fortification.
It allows mandating of food fortification based on health severity as per scientific analysis.
There would be a fortification logo for the first time which will help raise consumer awareness.
It will help solve the problem of hidden hunger i.e. the absence of vital micronutrients in human body.
It shifts focus from only food security towards attaining a nutritional security.
Challenges
FSSAI lacks in 3Fs – Funds, Functionaries/Manpower and Functions. These loopholes have a potential to make the regulations a non-starter.
The regulation does not explicitly give the penalties on not following its said provisions.
It will still not be mandatory for all essential foods to fortify food.
There is no mention of Bio fortification which has a better reach than conventional food fortification.
Way Forward
A fortification initiative will combat high malnutrition, promote food processing industry and also improve customer satisfaction. Therefore the government must reform its institutional structure and its overall implementation to mainstream this key initiative
Box–1-FSSAI
It is a statutory body as per Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
It comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Its aim is to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards.
Box–2-Food Fortification
It is the addition of vitamins and minerals such as iron, iodine, zinc, Vitamin A, D to staple foods such as rice, milk and salt to improve their nutritional content.
These nutrients may or may not have been originally present in the food before processing.
It helps overcome micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) deficiency.
It neither changes existing food patterns, habits nor individual compliance.
Box–3-Bio-fortification
Biofortification improves nutritional quality of food crops through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology.
Biofortification increases nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than through manual means during crop processing as in conventional fortification.
7.4.2. LAW COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION ON FOOD LAWS
Why in news?
The Law Commission of India in its 264th report has recommended life imprisonment for traders, businessmen and shopkeepers found guilty of the death of their customers by intentionally selling them adulterated or “noxious” food and drink.
Why Food Legislation is necessary?
Increasing daily need and fast growing lifestyle have led to ever growing food and food products markets providing an opportunity for greedy people to make quick money by food adulteration.
Most of the food adulterants are very harmful and toxic driving the citizens to health hazards that ultimately result in various ailments and even premature deaths.
Food legislations are enacted to ensure that the acceptable
minimum level of food safety is ensured; and the standards that secure such safety are strictly enforced.
The Present Legal Framework and its Criticisms
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Food Act) was brought in to consolidate all previous existing food laws thus creating a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards.
It establishes an independent statutory authority- Food Safety and Standards Authority (Food Authority) which has following functions-
Laying down scientific standards for articles of food and
Regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
The Food Authority along with the State Food Safety Authorities is responsible for monitoring and verifying the relevant requirements under the Act and its enforcement.
The Act provides for the appointment of a Commissioner of Food Safety at state level and local Food Safety Officers for efficient implementation of food safety and standards under the Food Act.
Recommendations of Law Commission
Sections 272 and 273 of the IPC should be amended to bring the penal framework in it on par with the existing punishments scheme provided in the Food Act and the State Amendments to the Code.
The punishment should be graded with proportion to the harm caused to the consumer due to consumption of adulterated food and drinks.
IPC should be amended to provide for life imprisonment as maximum punishment in cases where food adulteration leads to death.
Way Forward
The IPC should be amended to provide for stricter punishment and increased fines so that it works as a deterrent for anti-social persons who indulge in food adulteration with the greed and profit motive.
Box–Food Adulteration under the IPC
Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) under sections 272 and 273 also provides for penal provisions with food adulteration.
The food act provides for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
In comparison to the Food Act, the IPC prescribes punishment of maximum 6 months of imprisonment or a fine of one thousand rupees or both.
States like Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have brought in legislations to amend IPC to enhance the punishment to imprisonment for life and also the fine.
7.5. OXFAM REPORT ON INCOME DISPARITY 2017
Why in News?
International NGO Oxfam released a report ‘An Economy for the 99%’ recently. It is a part of annual series
of reports launched just before World Economic Forum Davos meet.
Issues Involved
Inequality is rising over time. For Eg. Thomas
Piketty’s Capital in the 21st Century, says that income
growth of the bottom 50% has been zero compared
to 300% growth of the top 1%.
Income Inequality is increasing despite an increase in
the world population which will further add to the
vicious cycle.
This is a failure of Trickle Down theory.
It shows that market isn’t always right and government’s welfaristic role is the need of the hour.
Concentrating wealth goes against the ethical concepts like Trusteeship and Sarvodaya as propounded by Mahatma Gandhi. Constitutional Art 38 wants State to minimize the income inequalities and eliminate inequalities in status and opportunities. So, Oxfam’s report shows a failure of governance.
Background
1989 saw emergence of Washington Consensus centered on the ideas of market expansionism and individualism.
In 1990s, India adopted a mixed economy centered on planning by inducement.
Government was to frame the broad policy and private sector was to work within those contours.
Barack Obama in his UNGA speech in 2016 said – “A world where 1% of humanity controls as much wealth as the bottom 99% will never be stable”.
Findings of the report
Wealth of the world’s top-eight billionaires (six from USA) together is more than that of the bottom 50% of the world’s population.
Bottom 50% of the world’s population has just 0.2% of the world’s wealth.
India’s richest 1% holds 58% of the country’s total wealth - higher than the global figure of about 50 per cent.
CEO of India’s top information firms earns 416 times the salary of a typical employee in his company.
Reasons of the rising income disparity
Tax avoidance and Tax evasion to gain windfall profits without having to pay taxes for the benefit of society. It is supplemented by secrecy of tax havens.
Wage discrimination across race, gender, caste, religion etc.
Existence of Parallel economy because of black money also boosts inflation and increases inequality.
Large population concentrated in the low pay sectors like subsistence agriculture.
Presence of crony capitalism. For eg. Oxfam in its 2016 report ‘An Economy for the 1%’, showed corporations using their power and influence to shape government policies.
Consequences of income inequality
Lower wages decrease the consumption levels of individuals thus lowering demand and slowing down growth.
Lower tax collection causes a deficit of spending in welfare schemes like MNREGA which further affects employment.
Socio-economic backwardness continues due to not enough opportunities for backward to change their status.
Materialistic and consumeristic behavior gets promoted leading to loss of emotional connectedness in humanity.
Environment is exploited by the rising inequality. Eg. Affluence promotes Climate Change by wastage of resources.
It increases crime and insecurity in the society.
Democratic principles of equality, fairness and justice are undervalued with the monetary influence in political scenario. Eg. Inequality is a reason of rise of Right parties.
Indian Government steps
Government is pursuing land reforms like land leasing to make the agriculture profitable to all. It has also fixed a target to double farmer income by 2022.
Support to MSME industries is being given in the form of direct subsidy and exemptions of duty.
Poverty Alleviation programs like MNREGA, National Social Assistance Program etc. are also being implemented.
To curb regional economic special area programs like Drought Prone Area Development are being implemented.
India has also revised its Double Tax Avoidance Agreement to curb tax avoidance.
Government is even planning to introduce Universal Basic Income for all.
Steps needed to curb inequality
Oxfam recommends it is time to build a human economy that benefits everyone. It recommends the richest persons to do something constructive with their wealth.
There is a need to promote Corporate Social Responsibility worldwide.
Behavioral change is needed to stop any discrimination.
There needs to be better implementation of welfare schemes.
Increase collaboration on sharing tax information and collating intelligence is needed.
Way Forward
India needs to be in forefront to implement the SDG 10 to reduce inequalities. Accountable and visionary governments, businesses working in the interests of workers, women’s rights and a strong system of fair taxation, are central to reduce this monstrous inequality.
Box–Trickle-down theory
It argues for tax breaks or other financial benefits to businesses, investors and entrepreneurs to stimulate economic growth. It hinges on two assumptions: All members of society benefit from growth Growth is most likely to come from those with the resources and skills to increase productive output.
7.6. SEX RATIO IN HARYANA
Why in news?
Haryana for the first time in past 2 decades has crossed 900-mark in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). SRB in
December 2016 was recorded at 914.
The SRB refers to the number of girls born per 1000 boys.
Steps taken
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign launched in
Panipat in January 2015 by central government provided
initial flip and motivation to improve the pathetic sex ratio in
the state.
Convergence, cooperation and coordination of all departments was strictly enforced at district level
Special B3P cell was created at the chief minister
office for regular monitoring of the programme.
State Government ensured strict implementation
of Pre-conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic
Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 and Medical
Terminal of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
State launched a massive drive against sex
selection, sex selective abortion and female
foeticide.
Regular meeting, rallies and street plays were
conducted both at urban and rural areas to
sensitize the public. Campaign like “Selfie with
daughter” was immensely successful in achieving
this.
Haryana girls like Deepa Malik, Sakshi Malik,
Geeta Phogat, Babita Phogat wining laurels for the
country in sports significantly promoted the cause.
Recent state government schemes like “Aapki beti
hamari beti”, “Haryana kanya kosh” proved to be
step in the right direction.
Challenges
Patriarchal mindset still prevalent in India where preference is given to son over daughter.
Mushrooming of illegal practice among ultrasound centers in neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi where parents are told about the sex of foetus in liu of some money.
Way forward
Inter-state co-ordination in necessary to crack down upon unholy nexus between doctors, quacks and illegal ultrasound centres.
It is high time to understand that no society can flourish if half of its population is discriminated.
Educating girls and encouraging them to be at par with boys will help to achieve the goal of higher sex ratio in the long run.
Box–1-Haryana: As per the Census 2011
It has the lowest sex ratio of 877 females to that of 1000 males as compared to national average of 943.
Even it recorded the lowest child sex ratio (0-6 years) of 834 among all the states compared to national average of 919.
Box–2-Haryana government scheme:
Aapki beti hamari beti scheme:
It is launched to combat the problem of declining child sex ratio in the state.
As per the scheme, first girl child born on or after January 22, 2015, in SC family and BPL families will be eligible to receive Rs 21,000
Similarly, all second girl child born on or after January 22, 2015 of all families will get Rs 21,000.
Families, where twin girls or multiple girls are born, will get Rs 21,000 per girl child.
They will be provided fund from Haryana Kanya Kosh.
Haryana kanya kosh:
It is a special fund set up for welfare and development of girl child and women in the state.
The girl child belonging to the families of poor and Scheduled Castes will be provided financial assistance from this fund.
Anybody could contribute in this fund for the welfare of girls.
7.7. MILLETS: FUTURE OF FOOD AND FARMING
Why in news
Smart Food (SF) initiative, which focuses on popularising millets and sorghum, has been selected as one of the winning innovations of 2017 by LAUNCH Food programme.
What are millets?
They are group of small-grained cereal grasses.
Millets are categorized as major (Sorghum and
pearl millet) and minor based on grain size. Off
late, the classification is also an indication of
the area under these crops.
Though small millets are grown in almost every
state/region, the distribution of individual
millet is not uniform.
Advantages of millets
They are climate change compliant crops as it
can withstand more heated regime, erratic
rainfall. For example Millets can easily
withstand climate change while wheat is
thermal sensitive.
They are astonishingly low water consuming crop. For example rainfall needed for Sorghum, Pearl Millet and Finger Millet is less than 25% of sugarcane and banana and 30% that of rice. In future, where water and food crisis stares us in the face, millets can truly ensure the food security.
They provide tons of benefit to human body like:
Provides protection against cardiac disease, diabetes.
Lowers bad cholesterol level.
As it is alkaline and it digests easily
Prevents onset of breast cancer.
Detoxify body and effective in lowering blood pressure.
Easily solves the problems like constipation, excess gas, bloating, and cramping.
Helps to optimize kidney, liver and immune health system.
Most Millets can be grown on poorest of soils. Some in acidic soils, some on saline soils. For example in Rajasthan, pearl millets are grown in sandy soils. Finger millets grow well in saline soils.
Way Forward
Millets can be made a part of Public Distribution System and Midday Meal Scheme as it will provide poor people and children with nutritious food at economical price and raise their nutritional standards.
Multipronged strategy must be used to bring more cropping area under millet cultivation like providing Subsidy, making it more remunerative for farmers by providing the provision of Minimum support Price (MSP).
Sensitizing consumers about its nutritional benefits.
—Fig—
7.8. INDIRA GANDHI MATRITVA SAHYOG YOJANA
Why in News?
On New Year’s Eve, PM Narendra Modi announced that every pregnant woman would get Rs. 6000 for hospital stay, vaccination and nutrition.
What is it?
This benefit advanced to pregnant woman falls under Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) which was started by the UPA government in 2010.
The scheme was started on a pilot basis in 53 districts.
However, the National Food Security Act of 2013 made its universal coverage compulsory. Section 4(b) of the National Food Security Act states that every pregnant and lactating women is entitled to maternity benefits of not less than Rs. 6000
IGMSY originally provided a benefit of Rs. 4000 which was increased to Rs. 6000 with National Food Security Act, 2013. This cash transfer scheme is applicable to pregnant and lactating women of age 19 and above for up to 2 living children. All pregnant women are eligible unless they have already received paid leave or maternity benefits from their employers in the private or government sector.
Recent update
The Women and Child Development Minstry has formulated a plan and will be distributing the Rs. 6000 benefits in 3 installments for the first two live births.
States will bear 40% of the cost while the Centre will provide the rest.
The centre has allocated Rs. 2700 crore for the implementation of this scheme in budget 2017-18.
Limiting Factors
Despite the fact that the universal coverage of the scheme has been around for three years, it has not been successfully implemented. This is mainly due to the lack of funds.
The scheme provides benefits only upto two live births which excludes close to 60 percent of women in the age group of 15-49, according to a study.
These are mainly tribal and adivasi women who have 3-7 pregnancies on an average which adversely affects their health.
Significance of the Scheme
Proper implementation of the scheme can positively affect infant mortality rate and death due to pregnancy and childbirth complications.
This scheme will largely benefit working women especially those working in the unorganised sector.
7.9. DENOTIFIED, NOMADIC AND SEMI-NOMADIC TRIBES
Why in News?
The National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes has given its report in 2016.
While some of these communities want recognition as SCs/STs and OBCs, others want recognition as DNTs/NTs.
Background
During the British colonial rule, if the local government had reason to believe that a gang or a tribe had “addicted to systemtic commission of non-bailable offences” then it was registered as criminal tribe under the Criminbal Tribes Act, 1871.
Restrictions were imposed on their movement and adult male members of the community had to report to the police on regular intervals.
Next came the Criminal Tribes Act, 1924. Under this act, the local government may establish reformatory schools and separate criminal tribe children from their parents and guardians and place them in such schools.
The Ananthsayanam Ayyangar Committee (1949-50) gave a comprehensive report on how CTA worked throughout India.
o It listed 116 tribes in British territories and 200 in Princely States.
o It also recommended that the CTA be repealed and a central legislation be established that was applicable to habitual offenders without distinction based on caste, creed and race.
The CTA was repealed in 1949 and was replaced by the Habitual Offenders Act, 1951.
In 2002, Justice Venkatchaliah Commission recommended for strengthening the programmes for economic and educational development of DNTs. It also recommended constituting a special commission to look into the needs and grievances of the DNTs.
Consequently, a National Commission for Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes was constituted in 2005.
Challenges for the Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes
People of this community continue to be stereotyped. A large number of them have been labeled ex-criminal tribes.
They also face alienation and economic hardships.
Most of their traditional occupations such as snake charming, street acrobatics and performing with animals have been notified as criminal activity making it difficult for them to earn a livelihood.
They do not come under any reserved category therefore they do not enjoy reservation offered by the government in educational institutions or government jobs.
Recommendations
The present situation calls for an urgent need to look away from the past of denotified tribes.
The community needs to be included in SCs/STs and OBCs so that they can enjoy much needed reservation.
Grievance redressal committees need to be setup at the state level in order to identify the problems of this community and provide the required aid.
Box–Difference between Scheduled, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes
The term “Scheduled Tribe” appeared first in the Constitution of India. Article 366 (25) defined them as “such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purpose of this Constitution.”
They are called Scheduled because they are included in one of the Schedule of the Constitution.
They are basically people who lived in tribal areas (mainly forest).
Nomadic Tribes and Denotified Tribes both are the ones that were regarded as criminal tribes under CTA.
According to its literally meaning, nomadic tribes are those who wander from place to place.
7.10. UNIVERSAL IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME
Why in News?
The GoI is set to introduce two new vaccines: measles-rubella (MR) vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
Also, rotavirus vaccine is being included under UIP in five new states.
Measles-Rubella Vaccine
Measles is a viral infection which mainly affects
children and is responsible for child deaths worldwide. Measles vaccine has been known to be quite successful in curbing its spread world over.
Rubella on the other hand is also a viral infection that is characterised by red rashes.
Rubella also known as German measles is known to affect approximately 25000 children born in India every year.
Symptoms include cataract and deafness. It can also affect the heart and brain.
The measles-rubella vaccine would be introduced in February 2017 in five states and UTs namely Goa, Karnataka, Lakshwadeep, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
Once the MR vaccine is introduced, the monovalent measles vaccine (presently part of UIP) will be discontinued.
Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV)
PCV is a mix of several bacteria of pneumococcal family.
Pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria is one of the most common types.
Estimates say that pneumonia is responsible for 20 percent of under-5 mortality in India.
PCV will be introduced in Himachal Pradesh, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from March 2017.
Three doses will be administered at one and a half months, three and a half months and nine months.
Rotavirus Vaccine
Rotavirus vaccine was first included in UIP in April 2006.
Rotavirus infections are the most common cause of diarrhoea.
The vaccine is currently being administered in HP, Haryana, Odisha and AP. From February, it will be part of UIP in Assam, Tripura, Rajasthan, MP and TN
Box–Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
It was first launched 1985 in a phased manner.
UIP includes preventive medications that every child born in India is entitled to.
As of now, the UIP basket includes 10 vaccines which are: tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis (whopping cough), tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, Hepatitis B, Diarrhoea, Japanese Encephalitis and Pneumonia.
7.11. VARISHTHA PENSION BIMA YOJANA (VPBY)
The cabinet approved the Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana and the scheme will be launched by the Life Insurance Corporation of India from 1 April 2017.
What is it?
Post demonetisation, banks slashed interest rates on fixed deposits, therefore the government has launched VPBY to safeguard the interests of the senior citizens.
The scheme has been announced with a guaranteed interest rate of 8 percent for 10 years.
The difference between the return generated by LIC and the guaranteed 8 percent interest would be compensated through the subsidy given to LIC.
The scheme will be open for subscription for one year from the date of launch.
The subscriber can opt for pension on a monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual basis.
Senior citizen can invest up to 7.5 lakhs.
Pros
The biggest plus point of this scheme is that the interest rate is fixed for 10 years.
Although, competitive schemes with similar or even better interest rate are available but the catch is that interest rates keep fluctuating according to RBI policy.
