Oct-16SI Flashcards
Oct-16SI-Index
4.1. Gender Related Issues
-4.1.1. India Ranks 87 in WEF Gender Gap Report
-4.1.2. Janani Suraksha Yojna
-4.1.3. Changes in Domestic Violence Act
-4.1.4. Muslim Personal Law: Need for Reforms
4.2. Vulnerable sections
-4.2.1. Elderly in India
-4.2.2. Vayoshreshtha Samman
-4.2.3. Amendments to the HIV and AIDS(Prevention
And Control) Bill, 2014
4.3. Health and Diseases
-4.3.1. Dengue and Chikungunya
-4.3.2. Leprosy
-4.3.3. Global TB Report
4.4. Education
-4.4.1. National Academic Depository
-4.4.2. New Delhi Declaration on Education
4.5. Miscellaneous
-4.5.1. Liquor Ban
-4.5.2. Swachh Bharat Mission: 2nd Anniversary
-4.5.3. Open Defecation in India
-4.5.4. Sugar Tax
-4.5.5. India moves up in the World Giving Index
-4.5.6. Rajasthan Drive to end Child Marriages
- GENDER RELATED ISSUES
- 4.1.1. INDIA RANKS 87 IN WEF GENDER GAP REPORT
Why in news?
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2016 was released recently.
India has substantially improved its rank in the Global Gender Gap index — moving from 108th to 87th position within a year, according to a report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
About the report
The WEF measures the gender gap index of the countries by taking four factors into account-economy, health, education and political representation.
In the latest edition, the report finds that progress towards parity in the key economic pillar of gender has slowed dramatically with the gap-which stands at 59%-now larger than at any point since 2008.
Globally, the leading four nations continue to be Scandinavian: Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden, in that order.
India’s performance
India is ranked 87 out of 144, improving from its 108 position in 2015.
It has closed its gender gap by 2% in a year: its gap now stands at 68% across the four pillars
The major improvement, however, has been in education, where it has managed to close its gap entirely in primary and secondary education.
India is also among a group of countries that have made key investments in women’s education but have generally not removed barriers to women’s participation in the workforce.
—Fig—
4.1.2. JANANI SURAKSHA YOJNA
Why in News
A latest study conducted by researchers from NCAER says that JSY has helped in reducing the socio-economic inequalities as well as it has led to an enhancement in the utilisation of health services among all groups especially among the poorer and underserved sections in the rural areas.
The study was conducted using data from two rounds of the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) — conducted in 2004-05 and 2011-12, providing a before-after scenario for comparison.
About
The JSY was launched in 2005 as part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to improve maternal and neonatal health by promotion of institutional deliveries (childbirth in hospitals).
JSY is a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme and it integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care.
It is implemented through ASHA, the accredited social health activist, acting as an effective link between the Government and the poor pregnant women under this scheme.
How it helps in Reducing Socio-Economic Disparities
First, the increase in utilisation of all three maternal healthcare services between the two rounds was remarkably higher among illiterate or less educated and poor women.
Secondly, the usage of all three maternal healthcare services by the OBC, Dalit, Adivasis and Muslim women increased between the surveys.
There was generally a narrowing of the gap between the less educated and more educated
women and between the poorer and richer women.
—Fig—
4.1.3. CHANGES IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT
About
The Supreme Court has struck down the words “adult male” from the pertinent provision in the DV Act to lay down that a woman can also file a complaint against another woman, accusing her of domestic violence.
Reasoning of Court
Since the perpetrators and abettors of domestic violence can also be women, insulating them would frustrate the objectives of the Act. Under this immunity females and minors can continue to commit domestic violence.
It discriminates between persons similarly situated and, thus, violates A.14 of the Constitution.
Significance of the Change
It makes DV gender neutral which according to some experts (including the bench) would help in serving the purpose of the law in a better way.
However, there are concerns from some corners that it would encourage husbands to file counter cases against their wives through their mothers or sisters.
There are also apprehensions about putting juveniles under the Act. There is no criminal provision under DV Act and thus no question of dealing with juvenile Board.
Relief under DV Act is almost always financial -maintenance, compensation and alternate residences – which can all be claimed only against an adult.
4.1.4. MUSLIM PERSONAL LAW: NEED FOR REFORMS
Background
The Supreme Court is presently hearing a case by Petitioner Shayara Bano who has challenged the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, in so far as it seeks to recognise and validate polygamy, triple talaq and ‘nikah halala’.
The central government also got involved in the process as the Court had asked for its response on the matter.
The Government, in its affidavit, supports the petition saying that these practices are not “integral to the practices of Islam or essential religious practices”. Thus, they must be reformed keeping in light the rights of women.
Triple Talaq & Nikal Halala
‘Talaq-e-bidat’ is a Muslim man divorcing his wife by pronouncing more than one talaq in a single ‘tuhr’ (the period between two menstruations), or in a ‘tuhr’ after coitus, or pronouncing an irrevocable instantaneous divorce at one go i.e. unilateral triple-talaq.
Nikah Halala is the temporary marriage a victim of instant talaq is forced to undergo with another man to remarry her first husband. This second marriage also needs to be consummated.
The practice has been described as inhuman and uncivilized by social activists including many Muslim groups.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), however, has lent support to the practice saying that it is a way to save marriages. It says that the mandatory nature of Nikah halala deters the husband from giving hasty divorces. The argument, however, does not go down well with the activists who question the suffering and exploitation of women in the process.
Further, the activists say that the practices are not of Islamic origin and many Islamic countries have abolished them.
The practice of instant triple talaq has already been invalidated by the SC in 2002 in Shamim Ara case. By that decision Nikah Halala is also rendered redundant.
Feasibility of a total ban on Polygamy
Census data and studies show that bigamy continues to prevail among the Hindus despite the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 outlawing it, and Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) declaring it a punishable offence.
This is mainly due to the non-cognizable nature of s.494. It means that the police can take cognizance of the offence of bigamy only on a complaint by the victim i.e. the first wife in this case. This doesn’t always happen due to social norms, pressure and lack of awareness.
The same problem would come in way of implementing anti-polygamy provisions in case of Muslims.
Way Forward
Some Muslim groups perceive these reformative measures as an attempt to initiate Uniform Civil Code and impose majoritarianism on them. The government must alleviate these fears.
The AIMPLB is against these reforms. However, it hasn’t been able to put convincing arguments in support of their stand.
It must be kept in mind that gender equality is a sacred principle of our constitution and modern society. The present day situations are different from the times when these practices originated. It is, thus, the right time to make necessary changes.
(To read more on UCC and challenges associated with its implementation please refer to October 2015 edition)
- VULNERABLE SECTIONS
- 4.2.1. ELDERLY IN INDIA
Why in news
According to a recent survey 65 per cent of the elderly in India are dependent on others for their financial requirements and undergo financial crisis.
Key findings of the survey
Pension was the main source of income for 38 per cent of the respondents.
More than 80% of the respondent’s major problems were related to healthcare issues, where financial status plays a key role.
Senior citizens aged over 70 are marginalized and isolated to a large extent.
Older persons in the category of 60-70 years are looked after well by their children, but with further advancement in their age, children find it difficult because of their own growing age and ever-increasing responsibilities towards their own children
Financially insecure old people expect social security, free health care and subsidies so that they can lead a comfortable and respectable life in old age.Rights of the Elderly
Parents cannot be evicted from a house without due process of law if they have been staying there from before. There is three enactments that can be applied.
Under section 125 of the CrPC, a magistrate can order a child to maintain his old parents under the Maintenance of Parents Act.
The Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act say an aged parent can demand maintenance from children in the same way that a wife can demand it from her husband.
The Domestic Violence Act too provides parents with the right to seek relief from any kind of abuse.
A National Policy on older persons was announced in January 1999 which identified a number of areas of intervention-financial security, healthcare and nutrition, shelter, education, welfare, protection of life and property for the wellbeing of older persons in the country.
A National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) was constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to operationalize the National Policy on older persons.
4.2.2. VAYOSHRESHTHA SAMMAN
Why in news?
Union Government Presented ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ to Older Persons & Institutions on International Day of Older Persons
Aim
National Awards are intended to show case the Government’s concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards them with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society.
About the award
Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of National Awards instituted by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (D/o Social Justice & Empowerment) initially in 2005.
It was upgraded to the status of National Awards in 2013 Among other awards KA was awarded best state in implementing the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens act, 2007 and providing services and facilities to senior citizens.
About International day of older persons
International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1st of October every year pursuant to the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly to observe the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons with the theme, “a society for all ages”.
4.2.3. AMENDMENTS TO THE HIV AND AIDS (PREVENTION AND CONTROL) BILL,
2014
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to introduce official
amendments to the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control)
Bill, 2014.
The Bill was first introduced in Parliament by the UPA
government in its last days in 2014.
Features of bill now
The provisions of the Bill seek to address HIV-related
discrimination, strengthen the existing programme by
bringing in legal accountability and establish formal
mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and redressing
grievances.
The Bill also aims to enhance access to health care services by ensuring informed consent and confidentiality for HIV-related testing, treatment and clinical research.
The Bill lists various grounds on which discrimination against HIV positive persons is prohibited.
It also places obligations on establishments to safeguard rights of persons living with HIV aids create mechanisms for redressing complaints.
The Bill also prohibits any individual from publishing information or advocating feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons and those living with them.
The Bill also provides for Guardianship for minors.
The Bill requires that no person shall be compelled to disclose his HIV status except with his informed consent, and if required by a court order.
The Bill also suggests, that the Central and State governments shall take measures to:
Prevent the spread of HIV or AIDS.
Provide anti-retroviral therapy.
Facilitate their access to welfare schemes especially for women and children.
Formulate HIV or AIDS education communication programmes.
Lay guidelines for the care and treatment of children with HIV or AIDS.
The Bill suggests that cases relating to HIV positive persons shall be disposed off by the court on a priority basis and duly ensuring the confidentiality.
The Bill makes provision for appointment of an ombudsman by State Governments to inquire into complaints related to the violation of the Act and penal actions in case of non-compliance.
Significance
The bill aims at achieving the target of “Ending the epidemic by 2030” as per the Sustainable Development Goals.
Recognising that HIV/AIDS often causes children to be orphaned, and extended families are reluctant to shoulder their responsibility, the Bill says that any person aged between 12 and 18 years with sufficient maturity in understanding and managing the affairs of his HIV or AIDS affected family can act as a guardian. This is a welcome step for taking care of abandoned HIV children.
The bill also provides for an Ombudsman which is a right step in bringing transparency and efficiency to the entire process.
The Bill brings a rights-based approach to AIDS treatment, making it imperative for both the central and state governments to provide treatment “as far as possible”.
Although the Bill lays down that treatment is the right of the patient, it stops short of making it a legal right and therefore, a patient who is denied ART treatment cannot ordinarily drag any government to court.
Thus steps should be taken to make this a legal right.
Box–Need
There are approximately 21 lakh persons estimated to be living with HIV in India.
Although, the prevalence of HIV is decreasing over the last decade but percentage of HIV patients receiving Anti-Retroviral therapy (ART) treatment are merely 28.82% against global percentage of 41%.
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are the four high-prevalence states and account for about 55% of the total cases in the country
- HEALTH AND DISEASES
- 4.3.1. DENGUE AND CHIKUNGUNYA
Why in news?
There was a sharp increase in the incidence of chikungunya in the country in 2015 over the previous year. Dengue cases have also steadily risen, from 75,808 in 2013 to 99,913 last year, with the death toll rising from 193 to 220 during this period.
The dengue map for 2015 shows that Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal and Gujarat were the worst-affected. On chikungunya, Karnataka needs special help, as it has a disproportionately higher incidence compared to other States.
Neglected tropical diseases
According to WHO, Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries and affect more than one billion people, costing developing economies billions of dollars every year.
Dengue and chikungunya are such fast emerging pandemic-prone viral disease in many parts of the world. They flourish in urban poor areas, suburbs and the countryside in tropical and subtropical countries.
Causes
Climate change and erratic weather:
o This year, the unseasonal rain in February prolonged the season for mosquitoes. Climate changes make the environment conducive to mosquito breeding.
o Variable and erratic weather coupled with the climate change has become the root cause for the spread of the mosquito borne diseases like dengue and Chikungunya.
Causalities due to comorbidity:
o Comorbidity is the presence of one or more additional diseases or disorders co-occurring with (that is, concomitant or concurrent with) a primary disease or disorder.
o Casualties this year have mostly been due to co-morbidities of dengue and chikungunya rather than the viral fever itself.
Poor urban planning:
o Poor urban planning make people dwell in the slums which are often without basic amenities.
o Unhygienic food and lack of proper houses make them more prone to water borne diseases.
Poor health infrastructure:
o India’s investment in health services remains one of the lowest in the world.
Lack of affordable healthcare facilities:
o Doctor to patient ratio is extremely poor in the villages. Costly healthcare services in cities deter village people from travelling to cities for treatment in initial stages of the diseases.
Solutions
Environmental management:
o Environmental management ought to be the mainstay of vector control and involves destroying, altering, removing or recycling non-essential containers that provide egg, larval or pupal habitats.
o Clean environment makes sure that whatever the adverse weather changes, the mosquito does not breed.
Improved city infrastructure:
o It is important to have urban dwelling with proper waste management facilities.
o There should be installation of reliable piped water supply to communities dwelling especially in slum areas to reduce the need for storage.
o Strict legislation and regulation can significantly change planning and construction of buildings.
Biological and chemical control:
o Biological control is based on the introduction of organisms that prey upon, compete with or reduce populations of the target species.
o Frequent sprays of chemical to curb such diseases are other way to reduce the cases.
Community participation:
o Mobilising the community to participate in sanitation campaigns holds the key, although families that live in deprived neighbourhoods will need generous municipal assistance, improved civic facilities and access to free health care.
Advance planning:
o It is necessary to embark on comprehensive public health initiatives in July, instead of waiting till October and trying to deal with a surge of sick people using a creaking healthcare system.
Lessons from prior successful initiatives
India:
o Experiments with bio-vector control - in Puducherry and later in Kheda district of Gujarat - showed a dramatic reduction in vector-borne diseases.
o In these cases, what was done was aggressive cleaning of the environment to make sure there was no stagnant water in drains and use of fish larvae to eradicate the mosquito.
Singapore:
o Singapore has one of the highest burdens of infections transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes; dengue haemorrhagic fever appeared in the 1960s and became a major cause of child deaths.
o It achieved significant control through integrated vector management that entailed: Advocacy, social mobilisation and legislation; collaboration within the health sector and across other sectors; evidence based decision-making and capacity building of providers and communities.
o It has come down heavily on the construction sector for not complying with vector control guidelines.
Sri Lanka:
o There are several aspects to the Sri Lankan experience that could help evaluate the efforts of India’s States in their battle to control disease-spreading vectors. Better results were achieved by the island nation through integration of different approaches.
o This includes focussing on mosquito control in irrigation and agriculture, introducing new classes of insecticides for residual spraying within houses, and scaling up distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets even in areas caught up in conflict.
o Mobile centres for access to diagnostics and treatment also helped halt disease transmission.
4.3.2. LEPROSY
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes.
Leprosy is known to occur at all ages ranging from early infancy to very old age. Leprosy is curable and early treatment averts most disabilities.
Transmission
The exact mechanism of transmission of leprosy is not known. At least until recently, the most widely held belief was that the disease was transmitted by contact between cases of leprosy and healthy persons.
More recently the possibility of transmission by the respiratory route is gaining ground. There are also other possibilities such as transmission through insects which cannot be completely ruled out.
Leprosy and India
India was officially declared to have eliminated leprosy in 2005 when new cases fell to less than 1 per 10,000, yet India still accounts for the largest number of leprosy affected people in the world (58 per cent).
The adversities suffered by leprosy patients are multi-faceted, ranging from medical, social and psychological to economic and legal.
Therefore, lack of awareness, myths, socio-cultural beliefs, and the stigma attached to leprosy are perhaps
the most pressing problems before public health activists today.
Recent initiatives
Leprosy Case Detection Campaign –
o The campaign, spearheaded by the National Leprosy
Elimination Programme, covered 149 districts across 19
states and mobilized almost 300 000 health workers.
o A record 320 million Indians have been screened in a door-
to-door leprosy detection campaign, revealing thousands of
“hidden” cases.
o It involved volunteers from the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) project.
Introduction of Made-in-India Leprosy Vaccine –
o A novel vaccine, developed in India, is to be launched on a pilot basis in five districts in Bihar and Gujarat.
o If it yields positive results, the leprosy vaccine programme will be extended to other high-prevalence districts.
WHO’s global strategy to end leprosy –
o The strategy aims to, by 2020, reduce to zero the number of children diagnosed with leprosy and related physical deformities; reduce the rate of newly-diagnosed leprosy patients with visible deformities to less than one per million; and ensure that all legislation that allows for discrimination on the basis of leprosy is overturned.
o The new global strategy is guided by the principles of initiating action, ensuring accountability and promoting inclusivity.
Way Forward
Leprosy is one of the most misunderstood diseases of the world; it poses some unique challenges in its control and elimination. A careful examination of the theoretical and practical approaches of the past can provide vital insights for the future.
To reduce the burden, it is important to develop a holistic and multi-pronged approach that includes key policy changes, a public education campaign, sustainable livelihood programmes, skill training workshops and bringing in other medical stakeholders to generate employment, identify interventions to dispel stigma and mainstream the affected people.
After achieving the target of elimination at all levels, the emphasis must shift to more policy level changes and sustaining quality of services.
For instance, there is a need to pass The Repealing and Amending (Fourth) Elimination Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy (EDPAL) Bill, 2015 and implement the key recommendations of the Law Commission on rights and special privileges.
Box–Milestones in NLEP
1955 - National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) launched
1983 - National Leprosy Eradication Programme launched
1983 - Introduction of Multidrug therapy (MDT) in Phases
2005 - Elimination of Leprosy at National Level
4.3.3. GLOBAL TB REPORT
Why in news?
The Global TB Report 2016, recently released, has revised the estimates for the tuberculosis (TB) burden in India upwards.
Key Findings of the report
India has 27 per cent of the global burden of incident
tuberculosis and 34 per cent of global TB deaths.
In 2015, estimate of incidence TB is 2.8 million cases.
India diagnosed and notified 1.7 million incident TB patients in 2015.
The estimate of the number of TB deaths is 4,78,000 — making TB one of the leading causes of death in India.
Further, of the estimated 79,000 cases of multidrug resistant (MDR) TB, about 31,000 were diagnosed. Associated facts The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium causes TB. It is spread through the air when a person with TB (whose lungs are affected) coughs, sneezes, spits, laughs or talks.
Since antibiotics began to be used to fight TB, some strains have become resistant to drugs.
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) arises when an antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria that it targets, with the surviving bacteria developing resistance to that antibiotic and often others at the same time
Box–About Report WHO has been publishing a global TB report every year since 1997. The main aim of the report is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and of progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease at global, regional and country levels.
- EDUCATION
- 4.4.1. NATIONAL ACADEMIC DEPOSITORY
HRD minister inaugurated the National Academic Depository (NAD) , a digital depository of academic awards
It aims to replicate digitization and dematerialization of financial security depositories for the educational awards,
The awards will be verified, authenticated, accessed and retrieved in a digital depository
It is a move to enhance transparency and authenticity
NAD will develop an online portfolio of all education certificates across Academic Institutes, which can be submitted easily for employment, higher education, and loans
NAD will also integrate directly with Boards / Universities which issue Certificates and hence, will ensure authenticity of certificate records
4.4.2. NEW DELHI DECLARATION ON EDUCATION
Why in news
BRICS nations adopted the ‘New Delhi Declaration on Education at 4th meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education
Key points
The main aim is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all.
Develop an enabling framework to promote research cooperation and knowledge transfer among BRICS countries.
Facilitate mobility of students and scholars, and encourage exchange of teaching faculty.
Share information on higher education systems, approval and recognition processes, quality assurance and accreditation, and prevalent procedures and practices for evaluation and recognition of qualifications to facilitate academic mobility.
Identify a nodal institution within each country and create an institutional network to share ICT policies, Open Educational Resources and other e-resources, including e-Libraries, among BRICS member countries.
Use information and communication technologies (ICTs) for improving access to education, enhancing the quality of teaching-learning process, teacher development, and strengthening educational planning and management
Expand technical and vocational education and skills development programmes, for facilitating acquisition of skills and competencies by young people and adults for enhancing their employability and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship
Initiate actions to formulate country-specific targets within the broader scope of the SDG4 and corresponding targets.
Share the best practices available in BRICS countries on collaboration in education, research and innovation through the BRICS Network University.
Box–SDG Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
- MISCELLANEOUS
- 4.5.1. LIQUOR BAN
Why In news?
Supreme Court upheld the Kerala Govt.’s decision to prohibit liquor in December 2015 , however, in Oct., 2016 Kerela Govt (LDF) has sought for reversal in its policy of banning liquor.
The Bihar Excise & Prohibition Act, 2016 that had come into force from October 2, 2016 proposing total liquor ban and its stricter provisions.
Arguments For
Strict state regulation is aligned with the preservation of DPSP (Article 47) that places a responsibility on all state governments
to “at least contain, if not curtail, consumption of alcohol” (Article 47).
It helps in bringing healthy familial relations –
Alcohol impacts family resources and leaves women and children as its most vulnerable victims. It may reduce cases of domestic violence.
A social stigma at least as far as the family unit is concerned is still attached to the consumption of alcohol.
Health implications: Alcohol, especially in large quantities, can damage people’s kidneys and livers, and can eventually lead to death.
Reduction in crime: Some argue that there is a direct correlation between alcohol consumption and an increase in crime. Violent crimes, assault, and disorderly conduct are most common with persons who are intoxicated.
Argument against- Historical evidence shows that prohibition does not encourage or enable people to quit drinking. Rather, prohibition tends to drive the trade underground and creates a market for smuggling of illicit liquor and production of spurious liquor.
Loss to state exchequer:
o The sale of alcohol contributes to the economy of the state through the tax directly and through the tourism, indirectly. Eg. Tamil Nadu nearly Rs.30,000 crore, or over a quarter of its revenue in 2015-16, came from taxes on the sale of alcohol and excise on manufacturing spirits.
o This income has enabled successive regimes from 2006 onwards to splurge on social sector schemes, especially the trademark programmes to supply free rice to nearly all ration card holders, distribute consumer goods and maintain its pioneering nutritious noon meal scheme for all children in
government and aided schools and anganwadis.
Restricts freedom of choice: Also, people should have the freedom of choice to decide to drink alcohol or not, as long as that freedom does not infringe on the freedoms of other people. Therefore, a law prohibiting alcohol would remove the freedom of choice.
Way ahead
Addiction is a treatable disease, not a moral failing and there are many proven strategies which can reduce its burden.
The desire to address the serious social problems caused by a minority of those who consume alcohol by prohibition is a distortion of reality.
There is a need of effective counselling interventions for those who wish to control their drinking rather than complete ban.
Box–1-According to the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre of Thiruvananthapuram, 44% of Kerala’s road accidents, 19% of stays in government hospitals and 80% divorces are linked to alcohol abuse.
According to recent survey by IISC Bangalore, researchers claim that more than 60% of accidents in India is caused due to alcoholic drinks taken by the driver.
Box–2-States that have experimented with liquor bans
Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and Manipur are all states that have experimented with partial or complete ban on liquor.
But change in governments as well as a negative feedback from the public have forced political parties to reverse the decision.
Widespread smuggling and sale of illicit liquor have also been the reasons for such bans to collapse.
Box–3-States where total ban is imposed
Gujarat, after its formation in 1960 out of Bombay State, continued the ban even after independence and still enforces it to this day. But massive industry of illicit liquor widely prevalent in the state.
Nagaland, a complete ban has been
in effect since 1989. However, still numerous illegal bars and shops continue to operate in the state. Smuggling of alcohol from neighbouring Assam has also been reported.
4.5.2. SWACHH BHARAT MISSION: 2ND ANNIVERSARY
Why in news?
Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are the first states to have become
open defecation free (ODF) in urban areas. The State of Himachal Pradesh has been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), making it the second State in the country after Sikkim to achieve the feat in rural areas.
Efforts by the government to make it a success
Cash incentive for building toilets are being provided by the
government.
Creating solid waste management facilities.
Efforts and focus on bringing behavioral changes. For instance- Roping in celebrities to promote toilet use.
City surveys to instill a sense of competition among cities.
Using technology like Hike Messenger Group which has local administrators from the respective states showcasing their achievements in implementing the scheme.
Creation of a portal by the ministry where all the
information is available about the projects.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Progress Report
In rural areas, approximately 100,000 villages have also
been declared ODF.
A total of 405 out of the 4,041 cities and towns have so
far claimed to have become ODF.
The mission has managed to construct 36% of individual
toilets, 30% community toilets and 9% public toilets.
The government has set a target of making 334 more
cities ODF by March next year.
Progress of the mission is slow in terms of of toilet
coverage in rural and urban areas but definitely
environment is created to clean India.
It has slowly developed into a people’s movement with greater awareness and participation.
Interdepartmental coordination is increased.
Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra showed the most improvement while Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Bihar reported no change. Other states showed marginal improvement.
Some of the worst-performing states Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
Challenges to the mission
Swachha Bharat Kosh, a fund created for SBM programs hasn’t taken off well.
Private participation by way of CSR is less as interested private companies do not have detailed project report.
Lack of funds
Municipal bodies are not fully engaged with citizens or even the mission.
Struggle involved in bringing behavioral changes in rural population.
Box–About Swachh Bharat Misssion
It was launched on 2 October 2014 to make India clean and open defecation free by 2019, Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. The programme is divided into two categories – Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). The Ministry for Drinking Water and Sanitation is looking at the rural part of the scheme. The Urban Development Ministry is implementing the programme in urban areas.
—Fig—
