Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Concepts: Tax Collection at Source (TCS) and Tax Terrorism
Mains level: Tax Collection at Source (TCS) on Foreign Credit Card Payments, Need, concerns and impact
Central Idea
- The recent announcement regarding the applicability of tax collection at source (TCS) on foreign payments made through credit cards has sparked a range of emotive reactions and sweeping remarks. However, it is crucial to understand the concept and consequences of this measure and avoid unnecessary panic.
What is Tax Collection at Source (TCS) on Credit Card Payments?
- TCS on credit card payments refers to the application of tax collection at source (TCS) on foreign payments made through credit cards.
- When individuals use their credit cards for foreign transactions, a certain percentage of the transaction amount is collected as tax by the government at the time of payment.
- This tax amount is then adjustable against the individual’s advance tax and final tax liabilities during the filing of their tax returns.
- The purpose of TCS on credit card payments is to track foreign spending and ensure that individuals report their income accurately while encouraging tax compliance.
- Applicability: TCS is applied when individuals use their credit cards for making payments in foreign currencies.
- Tax Collection: A specific percentage of the payment amount is collected as tax by the government. This tax is collected directly by the credit card company or the payment processor.
- Adjustable Tax: The tax amount collected through TCS is adjustable against the individual’s tax liabilities during the filing of their income tax returns. It is not an additional tax burden, but a prepayment of tax that can be adjusted against the final tax payable.
- Purpose: TCS on credit card payments helps the government track foreign spending and ensure that individuals accurately report their income from foreign transactions.
- Rates and Thresholds: The tax percentage and thresholds may vary based on government regulations. These rates and thresholds are subject to change from time to time.
- Exclusions: Certain categories, such as education and medical expenses, may have lower tax rates or exemptions from TCS. Payments made using international debit or credit cards within a specified limit may also be excluded from TCS.
What is the Need for Changes in TCS?
- Anomaly in Remittances: The Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) allows individuals to remit a certain amount of money abroad without requiring prior approval from authorities. However, payments made through credit cards were not subject to the LRS limit, leading to an anomaly where significant foreign payments were being made without any restrictions.
- Disproportionate Spending: The initial introduction of TCS on LRS remittances aimed to track foreign spending disproportionate to the reported income of individuals. It was an effort to ensure that individuals accurately disclose their foreign transactions and pay appropriate taxes on their foreign income.
- Circumvention of the System: Despite the initial implementation of TCS, there were instances of individuals circumventing the tax collection process. This was done through various means such as splitting payments among multiple individuals, including minors and household staff, or absorbing the 5% tax as a cost without claiming it through tax returns.
- Encouraging Tax Compliance: The intention behind TCS on credit card payments was also to encourage individuals to come forward and file tax returns. By imposing a tax collection mechanism, individuals are nudged to report their foreign income and fulfill their tax obligations.
Concerns over TCS on credit card payments
- Increased Financial Burden: The higher TCS rate of 20% on certain categories, such as investments, gifts, donations, and overseas travel, has led to an increased financial burden for individuals making such payments. The higher tax rate may impact individuals’ disposable income and affect their spending patterns.
- Impact on Foreign Travel: With the application of TCS on credit card payments for foreign travel, individuals may face additional costs and may need to adjust their travel budgets accordingly. This could discourage some individuals from undertaking foreign travel or limit their spending while abroad.
- Administrative Challenges: The implementation of TCS on credit card payments poses administrative challenges for credit card companies, payment processors, and individuals. It requires proper mechanisms to collect and remit the tax, as well as ensure accurate reporting and compliance. Compliance with these requirements may add complexity to the payment process.
- Concerns of Double Taxation: Some individuals express concerns about potential double taxation. They argue that since they are already paying taxes on their income, applying TCS on credit card payments can be seen as an additional tax burden on the same income.
- Impact on Economic Growth: Critics argue that the higher TCS rate and additional tax burden on certain payments may hinder economic growth. It is feared that this could discourage investments, limit foreign spending, and affect sectors such as tourism and hospitality.
- Perception of Tax Terrorism: The introduction of TCS on credit card payments has led to criticism of the overall tax system, with terms like “tax terrorism” being used. Critics argue that the tax collection measures may be seen as excessive and could create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among taxpayers.
Facts for prelims: Concept box from Civilsdaily
What is mean by Tax Terrorism?
- Tax terrorism refers to a situation where taxpayers feel harassed, intimidated, or unfairly treated by tax authorities, leading to a perception of aggressive or punitive actions.
- In simple words, it describes instances where taxpayers believe that the tax system or tax authorities are causing undue stress, fear, or anxiety.
Illustration: Understand tax terrorism this way
- Let’s say an individual receives a notice from the tax authority demanding extensive documentation and explanations for every financial transaction they have made over the past five years. The individual feels overwhelmed and stressed due to the complexity and scope of the request.
- Despite providing the necessary information and cooperating fully, they face repeated audits, additional scrutiny, and prolonged delays in the resolution of their tax matters.
- This experience leaves the individual feeling unfairly targeted and harassed by the tax authority, leading to a perception of tax terrorism.
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Way forward
- Transparent Communication: The government should engage in transparent communication to clarify the rationale behind the implementation of TCS on credit card payments. Clear and accessible information about the purpose, impact, and benefits of the policy can help alleviate concerns and misconceptions among taxpayers.
- Stakeholder Consultation: The government should actively engage with stakeholders, including taxpayers, industry associations, and experts, to understand their concerns and gather feedback. This can help in refining the policy and addressing any unintended consequences.
- Review and Revision: Regular reviews of the TCS policy should be conducted to assess its impact on individuals, sectors, and the economy. Based on the findings, necessary revisions can be made to strike a balance between tax collection objectives and the concerns of taxpayers.
- Simplification of Tax Regulations: Efforts should be made to simplify tax regulations and compliance procedures to reduce the burden on taxpayers. Clear and user-friendly guidelines can help individuals understand and fulfill their tax obligations more easily.
- Taxpayer Education and Assistance: Providing adequate taxpayer education and assistance is crucial to ensure compliance and address concerns. The government should invest in educational campaigns, workshops, and online resources to enhance taxpayer awareness and understanding of tax laws and procedures.
- Efficient Dispute Resolution: Establishing efficient and timely dispute resolution mechanisms can help address grievances and concerns raised by taxpayers. Timely resolution of tax disputes and appeals can foster trust in the tax system and alleviate the perception of tax terrorism.
- Balance between Tax Collection and Economic Growth: The government should strike a balance between tax collection objectives and promoting economic growth. Careful consideration should be given to the potential impact of TCS on sectors such as tourism and investments to ensure that the measures do not hamper economic development.
- Continual Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the TCS policy, along with its impact on tax compliance, economic growth, and taxpayer sentiment, should be conducted. This will enable the government to make informed decisions and adjustments as needed.
Conclusion
- Misinterpretation of the recent announcement on TCS for credit card payments has led to unwarranted panic and exaggerated reactions. While concerns should be addressed constructively, it is essential to acknowledge the government’s efforts in simplifying the tax system, leveraging technology, reducing processing times, and resolving disputes. Collaboration between the government and taxpayers is crucial to fostering a fair, easy, and compliant taxation environment in the country.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Bhopal's Voluntary Local Review and other such examples around the world
Mains level: Importance of Localizing SDG's in India, Bhopal's case study
Central Idea
- Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first city in India to join the global movement on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The city’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR), released recently, highlights Bhopal’s commitment to implementing the SDGs at the local level. This move demonstrates India’s commendable efforts in adopting and localizing the SDGs, with various states and union territories already taking steps in this direction
What is Bhopal’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR)?
- Bhopal’s Voluntary Local Review (VLR) is a comprehensive report released by the city of Bhopal, India, to showcase its progress and initiatives in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.
- It provides a detailed analysis of Bhopal’s development projects and their alignment with the SDGs across the three pillars of ‘people,’ ‘planet,’ and ‘prosperity.’
- The report maps these projects to specific SDGs and presents an assessment of the city’s progress, achievements, and challenges in each area.
Features of Bhopal’s VLR
- Collaboration: The VLR is a result of collaboration between the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, UN-Habitat, and a collective of over 23 local stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive and inclusive representation of Bhopal’s sustainable development efforts.
- Mapping of Developmental Projects: Bhopal’s VLR maps 56 developmental projects to the SDGs across the three pillars of ‘people,’ ‘planet,’ and ‘prosperity.’ This mapping provides a clear understanding of how the city’s initiatives align with the specific goals and targets of the SDGs.
- Focus on Priority Areas: The VLR identifies priority areas for Bhopal, with a particular emphasis on building basic infrastructure and resilience. This highlights the city’s strategic approach in addressing crucial issues and directing efforts towards areas that require immediate attention.
- Quantitative Assessment: Bhopal’s VLR includes an in-depth quantitative assessment of city-level indicators under SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities). This assessment evaluates the city’s performance in areas such as solid waste management practices, public transportation, and per capita availability of open spaces.
- Identification of Challenges: The VLR acknowledges the challenges faced by Bhopal in achieving certain SDG targets. It highlights areas where the city needs to work harder, such as adequate shelter provision, air pollution control, city planning capacity, and equitable distribution and accessibility of open spaces. This identification of challenges allows for targeted efforts to address these specific issues.
- Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement: The VLR emphasizes the leadership role of Mayor and efforts in engaging the city’s residents throughout the VLR process. This demonstrates the importance of stakeholder participation and inclusivity in driving sustainable development initiatives.
- Localized Approach: Bhopal’s VLR recognizes the unique local context and capacity constraints faced by Indian cities. It acknowledges that a comprehensive VLR covering all SDGs may be challenging for cities with limited resources and data availability. Therefore, the VLR allows for flexibility, enabling cities to choose specific SDGs for a detailed review and adapt national indicators to reflect the city’s local realities.
The Importance of Localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Contextualization: Localizing the SDGs allows cities, regions, and communities to adapt the global goals to their specific local contexts. Each locality has unique challenges, priorities, and resources. By localizing the SDGs, governments, organizations, and stakeholders can tailor strategies and interventions to address the specific needs of their communities, making them more relevant and effective.
- Proximity to the People: Local governments and communities are closest to the people they serve. They have a better understanding of the local needs, aspirations, and realities of their residents. By localizing the SDGs, decision-making processes become more participatory and inclusive, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of the local population are taken into account.
- Holistic Approach: The SDGs address a broad range of interconnected social, economic, and environmental challenges. Localizing the goals allows for a holistic approach to sustainable development, considering the interdependencies and synergies between different sectors and issues. It encourages integrated and comprehensive strategies that tackle multiple challenges simultaneously, leading to more sustainable and equitable outcomes.
- Collaboration and Partnership: Localizing the SDGs fosters collaboration and partnership among various stakeholders at the local level. Governments, civil society organizations, businesses, academia, and citizens can come together to work towards common goals, leveraging their respective strengths, expertise, and resources. This multi-stakeholder approach promotes collective action, knowledge-sharing, and innovation, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions.
- Innovation and Experimentation: Localizing the SDGs encourages innovation and experimentation. Local governments and communities can explore new approaches, policies, and practices to address complex challenges. They can pilot innovative solutions, learn from successes and failures, and share their experiences with other localities, contributing to a global knowledge exchange and learning process.
- Monitoring and Accountability: Localizing the SDGs facilitates monitoring and accountability mechanisms at the local level. By setting local targets, indicators, and progress tracking systems, governments and stakeholders can monitor the implementation of the goals and measure their impact on the ground. This localized monitoring promotes transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making, ensuring that progress towards sustainable development is effectively measured and evaluated.
- Global Impact: While the SDGs are a global agenda, their achievement ultimately depends on action at the local level. Localizing the goals is essential for aggregating local actions and initiatives to create significant impact at the global scale. When cities, regions, and communities across the world localize the SDGs, they contribute to the collective effort of achieving sustainable development globally.
Facts for prelims
India’s progress towards achieving SDGs so far
- SDG 1 (No Poverty): India has made significant progress in reducing poverty, with the poverty rate declining from 21.9% in 2011-12 to 4.4% in 2020. The government’s efforts to provide financial inclusion and social protection schemes have contributed to this progress.
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): India has made progress in reducing hunger, with the prevalence of undernourishment declining from 17.3% in 2004-06 to 14% in 2017-19.
- SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): India has made progress in improving maternal and child health, with maternal mortality ratio declining from 167 per 100,000 live births in 2011-13 to 113 in 2016-18.
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): India has made progress in improving access to education, with the gross enrolment ratio for primary education increasing from 93.4% in 2014-15 to 94.3% in 2019-20.
- SDG 5 (Gender Equality): India has made progress in improving gender equality, with the sex ratio at birth increasing from 918 in 2011 to 934 in 2020.
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Notable examples where cities and local governments have successfully localized the SDGs
- New York City, United States: New York City developed an SDG framework called “OneNYC” to align its local goals and initiatives with the SDGs. The framework focuses on various areas, including reducing poverty, promoting sustainability, addressing climate change, and improving quality of life.
- Bristol, United Kingdom: Bristol was one of the first cities to create a localized SDG plan known as the “Bristol One City Plan.” The plan integrates the SDGs into the city’s strategic priorities, such as reducing inequality, promoting sustainable economic growth, and addressing climate change.
- Kitakyushu, Japan: Kitakyushu, a city in Japan, has implemented the “Kitakyushu SDGs City Vision” to align its local strategies with the SDGs. The vision focuses on areas such as resource efficiency, waste management, renewable energy, and sustainable urban development. Kitakyushu’s successful experience in environmental sustainability has made it a global leader in eco-industrial development.
- Medellín, Colombia: Medellín has embraced the SDGs through its “Medellín Sustainable Development Goals 2030” strategy. The city has aligned its policies, programs, and projects with the SDGs, focusing on social inclusion, education, public transportation, urban development, and reducing violence. Medellín’s approach highlights the importance of social innovation and participatory governance in achieving sustainable development.
- Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona has integrated the SDGs into its urban development strategy known as “Barcelona City Council 2030 Agenda.” The city’s approach emphasizes social justice, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
Opportunities for Indian cities in localizing the SDGs
- Tailoring to Local Context: Localizing the SDGs allows Indian cities to adapt the global goals to their specific needs and realities. By identifying local priorities and strategies, cities can address issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and urban planning in a manner that is most relevant to their local populations.
- Leveraging Local Innovation: Localizing the SDGs provides an opportunity for cities to leverage their local innovation ecosystems to develop creative solutions to sustainable development challenges. By fostering collaboration between local businesses, startups, research institutions, and communities, cities can drive innovation and implement sustainable practices that can have a transformative impact.
- Enhancing Local Governance and Participation: Localizing the SDGs empowers local governments to strengthen their governance systems and promote participatory decision-making. It encourages local authorities to engage citizens, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable development initiatives. This participatory approach can lead to more inclusive and effective governance, as well as increased accountability and transparency.
- Sharing Best Practices and Learning: By sharing successful initiatives, innovative approaches, and lessons learned, cities can create a knowledge-sharing network, fostering collaboration and replication of effective strategies. This knowledge exchange can lead to improved policy-making, enhanced capacity-building, and accelerated progress towards the SDGs.
- Attracting Investments and Partnerships: Localizing the SDGs can help Indian cities attract investments, forge partnerships, and access funding opportunities. By demonstrating their commitment to sustainable development and showcasing their achievements, cities can attract investors, businesses, and development organizations that are aligned with the SDGs. Collaborative partnerships can bring in resources, expertise, and technical assistance to support the implementation of sustainable projects and initiatives.
- Global Recognition and Collaboration: Localizing the SDGs positions Indian cities as active participants in the global sustainable development agenda. It offers an opportunity to gain global recognition for their efforts and innovations. By actively engaging with international platforms, networks, and initiatives focused on sustainable urban development, Indian cities can collaborate with other cities, share experiences, and contribute to global efforts in achieving the SDGs
Conclusion
- Bhopal’s pioneering VLR sets an inspiring precedent for other Indian cities to embrace localisation and actively contribute to the SDGs. Localizing the SDGs provides Indian cities with an invaluable opportunity to address local challenges, tailor strategies to their specific contexts, and engage stakeholders in decision-making processes. By following Bhopal’s lead Indian cities can create a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future for their residents and leave a lasting impact on the global map of sustainable development.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: RBI regulation of Currency
Central Idea
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to withdraw ₹2000 denomination banknotes from circulation as part of its “Clean Note Policy.”
- The withdrawal is similar to a previous withdrawal of notes in 2013-2014 (and not the demonetization).
Legal Tender Status of ₹2,000 Banknotes
- ₹2000 banknotes will continue to maintain their legal tender status.
- People can use ₹2000 banknotes for transactions and accept them as payment.
- However, the RBI encourages depositing or exchanging the notes by September 30, 2023.
About the ₹2000 Notes
- The ₹2000 denomination banknote was introduced in November 2016 under Section 24(1) of RBI Act, 1934.
- It primarily aimed to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after withdrawal of the legal tender status of all ₹500 and ₹1000 banknotes in circulation at that time.
Reasons for withdrawal
- Demonetization purpose served: Printing of ₹2000 notes was stopped in 2018-19 as other denominations became available in adequate quantities.
- Clean Note Policy: This aims to provide good-quality currency notes with enhanced security features and withdraw soiled notes from circulation.
- Ending timespan: Majority of the ₹2000 notes were issued prior to March 2017 and have reached their estimated lifespan of 4-5 years.
- Disappeared from circulation: This denomination is not commonly used for transactions, and there is sufficient stock of banknotes in other denominations to meet public requirements.
Withdrawal process
- People can deposit ₹2,000 notes into their bank accounts or exchange them for banknotes of other denominations at any bank branch.
- The usual deposit process without restrictions and subject to applicable statutory provisions applies.
- Banks have been directed to provide deposit and exchange facilities for ₹2,000 notes until September 30, 2023.
- The facility for exchange up to ₹20,000 at a time will be available at banks and RBI’s Regional Offices from May 23, 2023.
- Banks are instructed to stop issuing ₹2,000 notes immediately.
Impact and financial analysis
- Deposit accretion of banks may improve in the short term, similar to the demonetization period.
- Improved deposit rates may reduce pressure on interest rate hikes and lead to moderation in short-term interest rates.
Clean Note Policy
Previously, banknotes issued before 2005 were withdrawn due to fewer security features.
Notes issued before 2005 are still legal tender but no longer in circulation to maintain consistency with international practices. |
Key issues
- Individuals can seek multiple exchanges in packets of ₹20,000, but this may attract attention from enforcement agencies and the Income-tax Department.
- Large sums of money in ₹2,000 notes may be difficult to exchange.
- It is likely to witness chaos and long queues in bank branches.
FAQs: Exchanging and depositing ₹2,000 Banknotes
- Individuals should approach bank branches for depositing or exchanging ₹2,000 banknotes.
- Deposit and exchange facilities will be available at banks until September 30, 2023.
- Exchange facilities will also be available at 19 RBI Regional Offices.
- There is a limit of ₹20,000 for each exchange transaction.
- Account holders can exchange up to ₹4,000 per day through business correspondents.
- Deposits into bank accounts have no restrictions, but compliance with KYC norms and other regulatory requirements is necessary.
- From May 23, 2023, people can approach bank branches or RBI Regional Offices to exchange their ₹2,000 notes.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Global Depository Receipts (GDRs)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea: Tata Consumer Products has announced its decision to delist its global depository receipts (GDRs) from the London Stock Exchange and Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
What are GDRs?
- GDRs are financial instruments used by companies to raise capital from international investors.
- They represent a bundle of shares in the company and are typically listed and traded on international stock exchanges.
- GDRs provide a way for companies to access global capital markets and attract investments from foreign investors without directly listing their shares on multiple stock exchanges around the world.
GDR Regulation in India
- In India, GDRs can be issued by Indian companies that meet the eligibility criteria set by the SEBI.
- SEBI sets guidelines and regulations for companies wishing to issue GDRs typically include the following:
- Listing: The company must be listed on a recognized stock exchange in India.
- Track Record: The company should have a track record of profitability for a certain period as specified by SEBI.
- Good Corporate Governance: The company must comply with corporate governance norms and disclose relevant financial and non-financial information.
- Regulatory Compliance: The company must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to securities and foreign exchange.
- Approval from Regulatory Authorities: The company needs to obtain necessary approvals from SEBI and other relevant authorities for the issuance of GDRs.
Need for GDR
- Capital Raising: GDRs offer a means for companies to raise capital from international investors, helping them finance investments, expansion projects, acquisitions, or debt repayment.
- Global Investor Base: GDRs allow companies to access a diverse range of international investors, including institutional investors, hedge funds, and retail investors, thereby expanding their shareholder base.
- Cost Efficiency: GDRs can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods of listing shares on multiple exchanges, as they enable companies to tap into global capital markets without the need for separate listings in different countries.
- Simplified Trading and Settlement: GDRs facilitate easy trading and settlement for international investors, as they eliminate the need to navigate local market regulations and procedures.
- Risk Mitigation: GDRs can provide a degree of risk mitigation for companies by reducing their exposure to local market fluctuations and volatility, as they offer access to a more diversified investor base.
- Arbitrage Opportunities: GDRs can create arbitrage opportunities for investors who can exploit price discrepancies between the GDRs and the underlying shares listed on the domestic stock exchange.
Benefits offered
- Access to Global Capital: GDRs enable Indian companies to access a larger pool of international capital and diversify their funding sources beyond domestic markets.
- Increased Liquidity: Listing GDRs on international exchanges provides Indian companies with broader exposure and enhances the liquidity of their shares, as they become accessible to a wider range of investors.
- Enhanced Global Visibility: GDRs help raise the profile of Indian companies on a global scale, increasing their visibility and attracting the attention of international investors and analysts.
- Currency Diversification: GDRs can also provide an opportunity for Indian companies to diversify their exposure to foreign currencies, as GDRs are often denominated in a currency other than the company’s home currency.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Arsenic Poisoning
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea: A recent peer-reviewed study suggests that even low levels of arsenic consumption can affect cognitive function in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Arsenic Contamination
- Arsenic is a highly toxic element naturally present in the environment.
- Contaminated water, particularly groundwater, is a major source of arsenic exposure.
- Long-term arsenic exposure can lead to various health issues, including cancer, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, and negative impacts on cognitive development.
Menace in India
- Arsenic contamination in groundwater is one of the most crippling issues in the drinking water scenario of India.
- According to the latest report of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), 21 states across the country have pockets with arsenic levels higher than the BIS stipulated permissible limit of 0.01 milligram per litre (mg/l).
- The states along the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river basin — Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam — are the worst affected by this human-amplified geogenic occurrence.
- In India, arsenic contamination was first officially confirmed in West Bengal in 1983.
- Close to four decades after its detection, the scenario has worsened.
- About 9.6 million people in West Bengal, 1.6 million in Assam, 1.2 million in Bihar, 0.5 million in Uttar Pradesh and 0.013 million in Jharkhand are at immediate risk from arsenic contamination in groundwater.
Key findings of the recent study
(1) Arsenic impact on behaviour
- The study found that individuals exposed to arsenic had reduced grey matter and weaker connections within key regions of the brain associated with cognitive functions.
- Chronic exposure to arsenic could have significant consequences at a population level, leading to increased school failures, diminished economic productivity, and higher risks of criminal and antisocial behavior.
(2) Arsenic Exposure and Socioeconomic Factors
- As previous studies have shown, arsenic exposure is particularly harmful to the poor.
- The recent study reaffirms that economically and nutritionally disadvantaged individuals experience greater cognitive impairment from arsenic exposure.
- The impact of arsenic on impairing cognition is more pronounced at a collective level rather than at an individual level.
Government Initiatives to address Arsenic Contamination
- Governments in Bihar and West Bengal have taken steps to address arsenic contamination since the 1990s.
- Strategies include promoting piped water access, installing arsenic removal plants, and encouraging groundwater extraction from deeper aquifers with lower arsenic levels.
- The goal is to minimize arsenic exposure and mitigate its health impacts in affected regions.
Possible solutions
Some of the management options include
- Uses of surface water sources
- Exploring and harnessing alternate arsenic-free aquifer
- Removal of arsenic from groundwater using arsenic treatment plants/filters
- Adopting rainwater harvesting/ watershed management practices.
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