Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Read the attached story
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- The field of taxonomy, which involves naming and classifying living beings, is currently engaged in a heated discussion regarding the renaming of species with objectionable scientific names.
- These names often stem from problematic individuals associated with slavery, racism, derogatory terms, and racial slurs.
- The debate has gained prominence in recent years, particularly in the wake of movements like Black Lives Matter, which seeks to address systemic racism and dismantle symbols of oppression.
Controversial Naming Practices
(1) Species Named after Controversial Figures:
- Anophthalmus hitleri: The blind beetle named after Adolf Hitler by an entomologist who admired him gained popularity among Neo-Nazis, leading to its near-extinction.
- Uta stansburiana: The lizard named after Howard Stansbury, known for his involvement in the massacre of Timpanogos Native Americans.
- Hibbertia scandens: The plant named after George Hibbert, a prominent member of the pro-slavery and anti-abolition lobby.
(2) Species Named with Derogatory Terms:
- Hottentotta tamulus scorpion: The use of “Hottentot” as a derogatory term for Indigenous Black people in Africa.
- Rauvolfia caffra: The quinine tree named with an offensive term considered hate speech against Black communities in South Africa.
Rules and International Bodies
- Nomenclature Codes: International bodies such as ICZN, ICNafp, ICNB, and ICTV govern the naming of animals, plants, bacteria, and viruses, respectively.
- Validity and Publication: New names must be published in openly distributed publications and accompanied by detailed descriptions of typical specimens.
| ICZN: International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature
ICNafp: International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants
ICNB: International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria
ICTV: International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses |
Scientific Naming Process
- Two-part Scientific Names: Each species has two scientific names, with the first denoting the genus and the second identifying the species within the genus. Both names are italicized.
- Naming Conventions: Names are often derived from Latin or Greek, reflecting distinctive features or characteristics of the species.
Challenges in Changing Offensive Names
- Limited Appetite for Change: International committees show little inclination to engage in debates on potentially offensive names, prioritizing stability and universality.
- Criteria for Name Change: The rules state that name changes should only occur with profound taxonomic knowledge or to rectify names conflicting with established rules.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Transgenic Cotton
Mains level: GM crops and issues
Central Idea
- The states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana in India have deferred a proposal to test a new type of transgenic cotton seed.
- This proposal had been approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the central government.
- The deferral of the proposal by these states indicates that the broader acceptance of genetically modified crops, including transgenic cotton, remains challenging to achieve in India.
What are Transgenic Crops?
- Transgenic crops, also known as genetically modified (GM) crops or genetically engineered (GE) crops, are plants that have been modified through genetic engineering techniques.
- These techniques involve the introduction of specific genes from one organism into the genetic material of another organism, resulting in the expression of new traits or characteristics in the modified crop.
- The introduction of transgenic technology allows scientists to selectively transfer desirable genes into crop plants to impart beneficial traits such as:
- Pest Resistance: Genes from naturally pest-resistant organisms can be inserted into crops to make them resistant to specific pests or insects.
- Disease Resistance: Genes conferring resistance to diseases can be introduced into crops to enhance their ability to withstand infections caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens.
- Herbicide Tolerance: Transgenic crops can be engineered to tolerate specific herbicides, allowing farmers to effectively control weeds without harming the crop.
- Improved Nutritional Content: Genetic engineering techniques can be employed to enhance the nutritional profile of crops by increasing the levels of essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, or proteins.
- Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Transgenic crops can be engineered to withstand environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, or extreme temperatures.
- Extended Shelf Life: Such crops have extended shelf life or resistance to spoilage, thereby reducing food waste and increasing marketability.
Transgenic Crops in India
- Cotton: Cotton is currently the only transgenic crop being commercially cultivated in India. It contains a gene called Cry2Ai, which is believed to confer resistance against the American pink bollworm, a significant pest affecting cotton crops.
- Other Crops in Trials: Apart from cotton, there are several other crops in various stages of trials using transgenic technology. These include brinjal (eggplant), tomato, maize (corn), and chickpea. These crops are being developed with traits such as insect resistance, disease resistance, and improved nutritional content.
- Mustard Hybrid DMH-11: The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approved the environmental release of Mustard hybrid DMH-11 and its parental lines for seed production and testing. This transgenic mustard variety is awaiting final clearance.
Regulation Process in India
- Safety Assessments: Transgenic crops go through rigorous safety assessments conducted by committees before they are approved for further testing. These assessments evaluate the potential environmental, health, and socioeconomic impacts of genetically modified crops.
- Confined Trials: After safety assessments, transgenic crops undergo confined trials in controlled environments. These trials are conducted at agricultural universities or plots controlled by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). The aim is to assess the performance, agronomic traits, and potential risks associated with transgenic crops.
- Open Field Trials: Upon successful confined trials, transgenic crops can proceed to open field trials. These trials are conducted over multiple crop seasons and in different geographical regions to evaluate the performance of the crops under diverse environmental conditions.
- Comparative Evaluation: Transgenic crops can seek commercial clearance only if they demonstrate superiority over comparable non-GM varieties in terms of desired traits, such as resistance to pests, diseases, or drought, without causing harm to the environment or other cultivated species.
Issues in Acceptance of Transgenic Crops
- Public Perception and Opposition: The acceptance of genetically modified crops continues to be elusive in India due to concerns raised by activists, farmers, and consumer groups regarding the safety, environmental impact, and long-term consequences of GM crops.
- Legal and Regulatory Framework: The litigation in the Supreme Court regarding the approval and cultivation of transgenic crops adds complexity to the regulatory framework. The decision-making process involves multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, scientists, activists, and judicial authorities.
- State-Level Approvals: Agriculture being a state subject, companies interested in testing transgenic seeds often require approvals from the respective states. Varying attitudes and policies towards GM crops among states can create challenges and inconsistencies in the regulatory process.
- Ecological Impact and Biodiversity: Critics argue that the release of transgenic crops into the environment may have unintended ecological consequences, such as the potential harm to non-target organisms, disruption of ecosystems, and loss of biodiversity.
- Socioeconomic Implications: The adoption of transgenic crops may have socioeconomic implications, including concerns about farmer dependency on seed companies, patenting of genetic materials, and potential impacts on traditional farming practices and indigenous seed varieties.
Way forward
- Robust Regulation: Strengthen the regulatory framework for transgenic crops to ensure rigorous evaluation, transparent decision-making, and effective monitoring of potential risks to human health, environment, and biodiversity.
- Public Awareness: Conduct comprehensive campaigns to educate the public about the benefits and safety of transgenic cotton, dispelling misconceptions, and promoting informed decision-making.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Foster open dialogue among farmers, scientists, policymakers, and consumer groups to address concerns, share information, and build mutual understanding.
- Environmental Monitoring: Implement long-term monitoring programs to assess the impact of transgenic cotton cultivation on factors such as pest resistance, gene flow, and ecological interactions to ensure sustainability.
- Farmer Training and Support: Provide training programs and technical assistance to farmers, equipping them with proper cultivation practices and effective management strategies for transgenic cotton, maximizing benefits of improved yields and pest control.
- Socioeconomic Assessments: Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate the potential impact of transgenic cotton on farmers’ livelihoods, rural economies, and social well-being, addressing issues of equity, access, and distribution of benefits.
- Transparent Labelling and Traceability: Implement clear labeling and traceability mechanisms to ensure transparency in marketing and trade of transgenic cotton products, enabling consumers to make informed choices.
Conclusion
- The GEAC is exploring options to streamline the regulatory process for GM crops.
- The proposal to declare certain regions as “notified testing sites” aims to provide a standardized framework for conducting trials and minimize the dependency on state-level approvals.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Centre has discontinued the sale of rice and wheat from the central pool to State governments under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS).
- This move is aimed at controlling price inflation and stabilizing food prices, but it may have an impact on states like Karnataka that offer free grains to the poor.
What is Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)?
- The OMSS refers to the government’s selling of food grains, such as rice and wheat, in the open market at predetermined prices.
- The scheme aims to enhance grain supply during the lean season and moderate open market prices.
- It consists of three components:
- Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction.
- Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction by dedicated movement.
- Sale of Raw Rice Grade ‘A’ to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction.
Working of OMSS
- To ensure transparency, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has adopted e-auction as the method for selling food grains under the OMSS (Domestic).
- Weekly auctions are conducted on the NCDEX platform.
- State governments and Union Territory Administrations can participate in the e-auction if they require wheat and rice outside TPDS & OWS (Targeted Public Distribution System & Other Welfare Schemes).
Reasons for Discontinuation of OMSS:
- Controlling price inflation: Discontinuing OMSS helps regulate the supply of rice and wheat to prevent price hikes.
- Ensuring price stability: By limiting the availability of grains through OMSS, the government aims to maintain stable market prices.
- Balancing stock levels: Discontinuation allows for better management of grain stock in the central pool.
- Streamlining distribution channels: OMSS discontinuation enables a more focused and efficient distribution of grains through targeted welfare schemes.
- Efficient utilization of resources: By discontinuing OMSS, resources can be allocated more effectively to optimize procurement and distribution efforts.
- Flexibility in response to market conditions: The discontinuation provides flexibility to adjust grain supply based on market demands and conditions.
- Promoting market competition: The absence of OMSS encourages the participation of private traders and bulk consumers, fostering a competitive market environment.
Concerns and Production Challenges
- Adverse weather conditions: Unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and higher temperatures have posed challenges to wheat production.
- Lower production and higher prices: The adverse weather conditions may lead to reduced wheat production and subsequent price increases.
- Rice price fluctuations: Rice prices have already increased by 10% at the mandi level in the last year.
- Dependence on monsoon rains: Monsoon rains are crucial for rice production, as 80% of the country’s total rice production occurs during the kharif season.
- Potential impact on food security: Lower production and price fluctuations can affect food security, particularly for vulnerable sections of society.
- Procurement challenges: Slow wheat procurement and increased prices create difficulties in achieving procurement targets and maintaining stock levels.
- Potential impact on overall agricultural output: Production challenges in wheat may have a ripple effect on the overall agricultural sector and farm incomes.
- Need for stabilizing measures: Measures to stabilize supply, improve agricultural practices, and manage weather-related risks are crucial to address these concerns.
Efforts to Stabilize Supply and Stock Levels
- Food Corporation of India: FCI plays a vital role in ensuring the availability of food grains at reasonable prices to vulnerable sections of society through the Public Distribution System.
- Increased Procurement: The government has set a procurement target of 341.5 lakh metric tonnes of wheat for the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2023-24.
Conclusion
- The Centre’s decision to discontinue the sale of rice and wheat to states under the OMSS aims to control price inflation and stabilize food prices.
- Exceptions have been made for regions facing specific challenges.
- The imposition of stock limits and offloading through the OMSS demonstrates the government’s efforts to manage overall food security and prevent hoarding.
- However, concerns remain regarding lower wheat production due to adverse weather conditions, highlighting the need for measures to stabilize supply and stock levels.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Freedom of Religion
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea: The 22nd Law Commission of India has sought fresh suggestions from various stakeholders, including public and religious organisations, on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
What is Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
- The UCC aims to establish a single personal civil law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, etc.
- The idea of a UCC has a long history in India and has been a topic of debate and discussion.
- This article explores the basis for a UCC, its timeline, the conflict with the right to freedom of religion, minority opinions, challenges to implementation, and the way forward.
Basis for UCC: Article 44
- Article 44 of the Directive Principles envisions the state’s endeavor to secure a UCC for all citizens throughout the country.
- While DPSP of the Constitution are not enforceable by courts, they provide fundamental principles for governance.
Personal Laws and UCC: A Timeline
- Colonial Period: Personal laws were first framed for Hindu and Muslim citizens during the British Raj.
- 1940: The idea of a UCC was proposed by the National Planning Commission, examining women’s status and recommending reforms for gender equality.
- 1947: UCC was considered as a fundamental right during the framing of the Constitution by Minoo Masani, Hansa Mehta, Amrit Kaur, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
- 1948: The Constitution Assembly debated Article 44, which emphasizes the implementation of uniform civil laws as a state duty under Part IV.
- 1950: Reformist bills were passed, granting Hindu women the right to divorce and inherit property and outlawing bigamy and child marriages.
- 1951: Ambedkar resigned when his draft of the Hindu Code Bill was stalled in Parliament.
- 1985: Shah Bano case highlighted the need for a UCC and the rights of divorced Muslim women.
- 1995: Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India reiterated the urgency of a UCC for national integration and removing contradictions.
- 2000: The Supreme Court, in Lily Thomas v. Union of India, stated it could not direct the government to introduce a UCC.
- 2015: The apex court refused to mandate a decision on implementing a UCC.
- 2016: The Triple Talaq debate gained attention, leading to the ruling of its unconstitutionality in 2017.
UCC vs. Right to Freedom of Religion
- Article 25: Guarantees an individual’s fundamental right to religion.
- Article 26(b): Upholds the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
- Article 29: Protects the right to conserve distinctive culture.
- Reasonable restrictions can be imposed on freedom of religion for public order, health, morality, and other provisions related to fundamental rights.
Minority Opinion in the Constituent Assembly
- Some members sought to exempt Muslim Personal Law from state regulation, arguing against interference in personal laws based on secularism.
- Concerns were raised about uniformity in a diverse country like India and the potential for opposition from different communities.
- Gender justice was not a significant focus during these debates.
Enacting and Enforcing UCC
- Fundamental rights are enforceable in courts, while Directive Principles have varying degrees of enforceability.
- The wording of Article 44 suggests a lesser duty on the state compared to other Directive Principles.
- Fundamental rights are considered more important than Directive Principles, and a balance between both is crucial.
Need for UCC
- Multiple personal laws: Different religions and denominations follow distinct property and matrimonial laws, hindering national unity.
- Absence of exclusive jurisdiction: Such thing in the Union List implies that the framers did not intend to have a UCC.
- Customary laws are discriminatory: These laws also vary among different communities and regions.
Why is UCC Necessary?
- Harmonizing equality: UCC would provide equal status to all citizens, promote gender parity, and align with the aspirations of a liberal and young population.
- Promote fraternity: Implementation of UCC would support national integration.
Hurdles to UCC Implementation
- Opposition from religious factions: The diverse religious and cultural landscape of India poses practical difficulties.
- Minority resistance: UCC is often perceived by minorities as an encroachment on religious freedom and interference in personal matters.
- Societal preparedness: Experts argue that Indian society may not be ready to embrace a UCC at present.
Unaddressed Questions
- Ignoring diversities: Maintaining the essence of diverse components of society while achieving uniformity in personal laws.
- One size fits all: The assumption that practices of one community are backward or unjust.
- Uniqueness of diversity: The effectiveness of uniformity in eradicating societal inequalities.
Way Forward
- Theological education: Religious intelligentsia should educate their communities about rights and obligations based on modern interpretations.
- Open discussion: The government should create an environment conducive to UCC by explaining Article 44’s contents and significance while considering different perspectives.
- Gradual introduction: Social reforms should be gradual, addressing concerns such as fake news and disinformation.
- Prioritizing social harmony: Preserving the cultural fabric of the nation is essential.
Conclusion
- UCC is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of religious, cultural, and societal perspectives.
- Balancing the unity and diversity of India is crucial, as the implementation of a UCC should aim to provide equal rights and opportunities while respecting the distinct identities of different communities.
- Education, dialogue, and a gradual approach are necessary to achieve consensus and promote social harmony in the country.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Need for integrated grain storage plan
Central Idea
- India, with its massive population of 1.4 billion people, faces the challenge of ensuring food security for its citizens.
- To address this issue, the Centre has approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to facilitate the implementation of the “world’s largest grain storage plan in the cooperative sector.”
- This article explores the key aspects of the plan and its potential impact on food security in India.
Need for Grain Storage Network
(1) Population vs. Arable Land
- India constitutes 18% of the global population but has only 11% of the arable land.
- The country’s vast population necessitates a robust network of food-grain storage facilities.
(2) Current Storage Gap
- India’s current foodgrain storage capacity is 145 million metric tonnes (MMT).
- However, the total food production stands at 311 MMT, resulting in a storage gap of 166 MMT.
- Insufficient storage facilities often lead to open storage, causing damage to food grains.
(3) Global Storage Capacities
- Countries like China, USA, Brazil, Russia, Argentina, Ukraine, France, and Canada have better storage capacities than their foodgrain production.
- For instance, China, with a foodgrain production of 615 MMT, has a storage capacity of 660 MMT.
(4) Regional Disparities in India
- In India, the storage capacity varies across regions.
- Some southern states have a storage capacity of 90% and above, while northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have capacities below 50%.
Understanding the ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan’
(1) Role of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
- The Ministry of Cooperation plans to establish a network of integrated grain storage facilities through PACS.
- PACS are widely spread across India, with over 1,00,000 societies and more than 13 crore farmers as members.
- Leveraging the existing PACS network is a crucial aspect of the plan.
(2) IMC Composition
- The IMC, constituted under the chairmanship of Minister of Cooperation , includes three other ministers and secretaries from relevant ministries.
- The IMC will modify guidelines and implementation methodologies of schemes to facilitate the storage plan.
(3) Budgetary Allocation
- The plan will be implemented through the convergence of 8 existing schemes, eliminating the need for a separate allocation.
- Schemes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution will be utilized.
Benefits of the Grain Storage Plan
(1) Multi-Purpose Benefits:
The plan aims to establish godowns at the PACS level, enabling them to serve multiple functions:
- Procurement centres for state agencies and Food Corporation of India (FCI)
- Fair Price Shops (FPS)
- Custom hiring centres
- Common processing units for agricultural produce
(2) Other benefits
- Reduction in post-harvest losses
- Decreased foodgrain handling and transportation costs
- Enhanced market flexibility for farmers, reducing distress sales
Key issues addressed
- Infrastructure Address: The establishment of godowns at PACS level will address the shortage of agricultural storage infrastructure, increasing India’s foodgrain storage capacity by 700 lakh tonnes.
- Diversification of PACS: PACS will be empowered to undertake various activities such as procurement centers, fair price shops, and setting up custom hiring centers, enhancing farmer incomes.
- Reduced Food Grain Wastage: Decentralized storage at PACS level will minimize grain wastage, contributing to improved food security.
- Prevention of Distress Sales: Farmers can store their produce in PACS facilities and access loans of up to 70%, preventing distress sales and enabling better prices.
- Cost Reduction: Local storage facilities will significantly reduce transportation costs of food grains to procurement centers and fair-price shops.
Design and Features of Integrated Storage Facilities
(1) Facility Layout
- Spread over 1 acre of land, the integrated modular PACS will have various components.
- These include a custom hiring center, a multi-purpose hall, primary processing units, storage sheds, and container storage and silos.
(2) Financing and Capacity:
- The cost of establishing the facility is estimated at Rs 2.25 crore.
- A subsidy of Rs 51 lakh will be provided, with the remaining amount as margin money or a loan.
- The PACS is projected to earn Rs 45 lakh per year.
- The hub and spoke model will be implemented, with 55,767 PACS functioning as spokes and 7,233 PACS as hubs.
- The combined storage capacity of all 63,000 PACS will be 70 million tonnes.
(3) Technological Advancements:
- The modern silos will be equipped with computerized real-time monitoring systems.
- These facilities can be rented out to the FCI and other private agencies.
Conclusion
- India’s ambitious grain storage plan in the cooperative sector, facilitated by the IMC, aims to bridge the storage gap and ensure food security for its billion-plus population.
- By leveraging the vast network of PACS and implementing an integrated storage model, the plan seeks to reduce losses, transportation costs, and distress sales.
- With proper execution and allocation of resources, this transformative initiative can have a significant and positive impact on India’s food security landscape.
Back2Basics: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
- PACS are the lowest tier of the Short-Term Cooperative Credit (STCC) structure in India directly dealing with Farmers.
- The first PACS was established in 1904.
- They are headed by the State Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state level.
- Credit from the SCBs is transferred to the District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) which operate at the district level.
- PACS directly work with farmers and play a crucial role in providing short-term lending.
- PACS provide credit to farmers at the beginning of the cropping cycle to meet their needs for seeds, fertilizers, and other requirements.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: ICDS Program, Components and related schemes and initiatives
Mains level: ICDS Program, Challenges and potential
Central Idea
- India continues to grapple with high rates of stunting, wasting, and anaemia, posing significant public health risks for children and women. In order to combat these challenges, it is crucial for India to bolster its social sector schemes, particularly the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
What is ICDS?
- ICDS is a flagship program implemented by the Government of India to address the nutritional and developmental needs of children under the age of six, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The program is implemented through Anganwadi centers, which serve as grassroots-level delivery points for these services in rural and urban areas across the country
key elements of ICDS
- Supplementary Nutrition: ICDS provides supplementary nutrition to children under the age of six, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. This includes the provision of hot cooked meals, take-home rations, and nutritional supplements to address malnutrition and promote healthy growth.
- Immunization: The program ensures the timely immunization of children against preventable diseases. It facilitates immunization sessions and helps families understand the importance of vaccination.
- Health Check-ups: Regular health check-ups are conducted for children and women to monitor their growth, detect any health issues, and provide appropriate medical interventions. This includes weight monitoring, growth assessment, and screening for common ailments.
- Referral Services: ICDS facilitates the referral of children and women to appropriate healthcare facilities for specialized care and treatment when needed. It acts as a link between the community and the healthcare system, ensuring timely access to essential services.
- Non-formal Pre-school Education: ICDS centers provide early childhood education to children aged 3-6 years. This includes age-appropriate learning activities, cognitive stimulation, and socialization opportunities to prepare children for formal schooling.
- Nutrition and Health Education: The program emphasizes the importance of nutrition and health through education and awareness campaigns. Anganwadi workers conduct regular sessions to educate families about proper nutrition, hygiene practices, breastfeeding, and maternal and child health.
- Community Mobilization: ICDS encourages community participation and engagement in the program. It seeks to involve families, community leaders, and local organizations in creating awareness, advocating for children’s rights, and supporting the effective implementation of ICDS services.
- Anganwadi Workers: Anganwadi workers, who serve as the frontline functionaries of ICDS, play a critical role in delivering services at the grassroots level. They are responsible for conducting home visits, implementing program activities, counseling families, and maintaining records.
The Impact of ICDS
- Cognitive Achievements: A study published in World Development revealed the positive impact of ICDS on cognitive achievements, particularly among girls and economically disadvantaged families. The program’s interventions, including nutrition, education, and health services, have shown to contribute to improved cognitive development in children.
- Educational Attainment: Another study published in The University of Chicago Press Journals found that children who were exposed to ICDS during the first three years of life completed more grades of schooling compared to those who did not have access to the program. This indicates that early interventions provided by ICDS positively influence educational outcomes.
- School Enrollment: According to a study published in the Natural Library of Medicine, adolescents aged 13-18, who were born in villages with proper ICDS implementation, showed a 7.8% increased likelihood of school enrollment. This suggests that ICDS plays a role in promoting access to education and increasing enrollment rates.
- Reduction in Malnutrition: The children who remained enrolled in ICDS exhibited reduced rates of child stunting and severe malnutrition. By providing supplementary nutrition and monitoring the growth of children, ICDS contributes to improving nutritional outcomes and addressing malnutrition issues
Why there is need to reassess existing strategies?
- Addressing Persistent Issues: The ICDS program still faces challenges in improving the nutritional and health outcomes for children aged 0-6 years. Despite four decades of efforts, there is a pressing need to reevaluate strategies to effectively tackle these persistent issues.
- Empowering Anganwadi Workers: Empowering Anganwadi workers, who are at the forefront of implementing the ICDS program, is crucial. These workers play a vital role in advancing child nutrition, health, and education in their communities. However, they often face challenges due to high workload and limited resources.
- Variation in Implementation: The significant variation in the implementation of ICDS across different regions and the level of skills of Anganwadi workers. This calls for further investments in training programs to ensure standardized and high-quality service delivery.
- Infrastructural Improvements: The ICDS program also faces infrastructural challenges, such as the lack of functional sanitation facilities, access to potable water, and adequate physical infrastructure in many Anganwadi centers. Addressing these infrastructural gaps is crucial for improving service delivery and overall program effectiveness.
Advantages of Additional Workers to the ICDS Program
- Improved Health and Educational Outcomes: Adding an extra Anganwadi worker to each center can lead to better health and educational outcomes for children. A randomized controlled trial conducted in Tamil Nadu demonstrated that increasing staff levels within the ICDS framework resulted in improved math and language test scores among enrolled children. The additional worker effectively doubled the net preschool instructional time, leading to significant positive effects.
- Reduced Rates of Stunting and Severe Malnutrition: The same trial in Tamil Nadu also showed that children who remained enrolled in the program exhibited reduced rates of child stunting and severe malnutrition. The presence of additional workers can contribute to enhanced nutritional support and monitoring, leading to improved child health outcomes.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Implementing the model of adding an additional Anganwadi worker to each center nationwide is relatively cost-effective compared to the potential benefits it offers. The estimated long-term benefits, based on expected improvements in lifetime earnings, would be around 13 to 21 times the expenses.
- Specialization of Roles: With an additional worker, the responsibilities can be divided to allow existing workers to focus more on child health and nutrition. The new Anganwadi worker can be assigned the specific responsibility of concentrating on preschool and early childhood education. This specialization allows for better utilization of resources and expertise, resulting in improved outcomes in both health and education domains.
- Job Opportunities and Women Empowerment: Adding an extra Anganwadi worker to each center creates job opportunities, particularly for women, across the country. This initiative would lead to the creation of 1.3 million new jobs for women, contributing to economic empowerment and gender equality.
Implementation Challenges Within the ICDS Program
- Variation in Implementation: There is significant variation in the implementation of the ICDS program across different regions of India. This variation can be attributed to factors such as resource allocation, infrastructure availability, and capacity of Anganwadi workers. Addressing this variation and ensuring standardized implementation across all regions is crucial for the program’s effectiveness.
- Skill Levels of Anganwadi Workers: There is a variation in the skill levels of Anganwadi workers. To ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery, it is necessary to invest in training programs that enhance the skills and knowledge of these workers.
- Infrastructural Challenges: Many Anganwadi centers face infrastructural challenges, such as a lack of functional sanitation facilities, inadequate access to potable water, and insufficient physical infrastructure. These infrastructural gaps hinder the effective delivery of ICDS services.
- Decentralized Implementation: The ICDS program operates under a decentralized approach, with state governments overseeing the execution, administration, management, and monitoring of the program. While decentralization promotes tailored implementation, it also poses challenges in terms of coordination, resource allocation, and maintaining consistent standards across different states and regions.
Way Ahead
- Empowerment of Anganwadi Workers: Providing comprehensive support and resources to Anganwadi workers is crucial. This includes enhancing their training programs, improving their skills and knowledge related to child nutrition, health, and early childhood education. Regular capacity-building programs should be conducted to keep them updated with the latest research and best practices.
- Increase Staffing Levels: Adding an additional Anganwadi worker to each existing center can alleviate the workload and ensure more focused attention on preschool and early childhood education. This step would enable existing workers to dedicate more time to child health and nutrition, leading to improved outcomes.
- Improve Infrastructure: Investments should be made to improve the infrastructure of Anganwadi centers. This includes providing functional sanitation facilities, access to clean drinking water, and adequate buildings. Upgrading the infrastructure will create a conducive environment for delivering quality services and ensure the safety and well-being of children.
- Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation: Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms should be established to assess the progress, impact, and effectiveness of the ICDS program. Regular data collection, analysis, and feedback loops will help identify gaps and inform evidence-based decision-making for program improvement.
- Collaborative Approach: Collaboration between the central and state governments, along with active involvement of local communities, is essential. Effective coordination and communication channels should be established to ensure seamless implementation and integration of the ICDS program at all levels.
- Sustainable Funding: Adequate and sustained funding should be allocated to the ICDS program. The government should prioritize investments in child nutrition and early childhood development as a long-term strategy for the nation’s well-being. Exploring partnerships with non-governmental organizations and private sector entities can also help mobilize additional resources.
- Community Engagement and Awareness: Creating awareness among communities about the importance of child nutrition, health, and education is crucial. Community mobilization efforts, including campaigns, workshops, and interactive sessions, should be conducted to engage families and community members in the ICDS program. Promoting behavior change and encouraging active participation will contribute to its success.
- Regular Policy Review: Periodic review and assessment of the ICDS program’s policies and strategies are essential to adapt to changing needs and emerging evidence. Regular policy reviews should be conducted to incorporate best practices, address implementation challenges, and align the program with evolving national and international standards
Conclusion
- To unlock the full potential of ICDS and address persistent issues related to child malnutrition, it is crucial to revisit and re-evaluate its strategies and implementation. Empowering Anganwadi workers through additional staffing, improved training, and better infrastructure is a vital first step. By enhancing the ICDS program, India can make significant progress in improving child nutrition, health, and educational outcomes.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Finance commission and its role, Concepts: Cess, surcharges, grants, freebies etc
Mains level: Fiscal Federalism, challenges and the role of Finance commission
Central Idea
- The government is set to appoint a Finance Commission in the coming months to address the crucial matter of distributing the Centre’s tax revenue among the States. This article examines the significance of the Finance Commission in India’s fiscal federalism, highlighting the changing dynamics post-reforms and the ensuing debates surrounding the horizontal distribution formula.
Evolution of the Finance Commission
- Constitutional Provision: The Finance Commission is a constitutional body established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. It was first constituted in 1951.
- Primary Objective: The primary objective of the Finance Commission is to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the Union (Centre) and the States.
- Five-Year Cycle: The Finance Commission is appointed every five years, or as specified by the President of India. The recommendations of the Commission cover a five-year period.
- Composition: The Commission consists of a Chairman and other members appointed by the President. The Chairman is usually a person with a background in economics, finance, or public administration.
- Terms of Reference: The President determines the terms of reference for each Finance Commission, which guide the Commission in its deliberations and recommendations.
Significance of the Finance Commission in India’s fiscal federalism
- Vertical and Horizontal Distribution: The Finance Commission determines the vertical share, which is the proportion of the Centre’s tax revenue that should be given to the States, ensuring a fair allocation of resources. It also formulates the horizontal sharing formula, which determines how this revenue should be distributed among the States.
- Addressing Fiscal Disparities: The Finance Commission plays a crucial role in addressing these disparities by providing financial transfers to less economically developed states. Through revenue deficit grants and other means, the Commission helps bridge the fiscal gap and supports states with limited revenue-raising capacity.
- Promoting Cooperative Federalism: The Finance Commission acts as an institutional mechanism that fosters cooperative federalism by facilitating intergovernmental fiscal transfers. It encourages collaboration and coordination between the Centre and the States, fostering a sense of shared responsibility in fiscal matters.
- Constitutional Mandate: The Finance Commission is constitutionally mandated under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. Its existence and functioning are enshrined in the constitutional framework, ensuring its independence and impartiality in making recommendations.
- Five-Year Review Cycle: The regular appointment of the Finance Commission every five years ensures a periodic review of the fiscal arrangements between the Centre and the States. This allows for adjustments and revisions based on evolving economic and social realities, ensuring that fiscal transfers remain relevant and effective.
- Expertise and Recommendations: The Finance Commission comprises experts in the fields of economics, finance, and public administration. Its recommendations are based on in-depth analysis, consultations, and assessments of various factors, including population, fiscal capacity, and development needs. These recommendations provide valuable insights and guidance to the Centre and the States in fiscal decision-making.
- Resolving Fiscal Conflicts: The Finance Commission helps resolve conflicts and disputes between the Centre and the States regarding fiscal matters. By providing an independent and objective platform for negotiation and deliberation, it promotes a sense of fairness and transparency in fiscal resource allocation.
- Strengthening Fiscal Discipline: The Finance Commission plays a role in promoting fiscal discipline and accountability. By assessing the fiscal performance and needs of the States, it encourages responsible fiscal behavior and discourages imprudent spending practices
Facts for Prelims
| Aspect |
Vertical Distribution |
Horizontal Distribution |
| Definition |
Allocation of the Centre’s tax revenue between the Centre and the States |
Allocation of funds among the States |
| Determined by |
Finance Commission |
Finance Commission |
| Factors considered |
Fiscal capacity, needs of the States, population figures, and relevant indicators |
Population, area, fiscal capacity, demographic trends, development indicators, and relevant parameters |
| Objective |
Provide a fair and equitable share of revenue to the States |
Promote equitable development and address regional imbalances |
| Purpose |
Ensure States have sufficient resources for expenditure requirements and promote balanced development |
Provide greater financial support to States with lower fiscal capacity and greater development needs |
| Focus |
Centre-State distribution of revenue |
State-State distribution of funds |
| Outcome |
Ensures fair allocation of revenue between the Centre and the States |
Reduces disparities and fosters balanced growth among the States |
Changing dynamics post reforms
- Decreased Role of Plan Financing: In the pre-reform era, the Centre had the flexibility to compensate States through plan financing. However, post-reforms, there has been a decline in fresh investments in public sector undertakings (PSUs) and the abolition of the Planning Commission in 2014. As a result, the Finance Commission has become the primary mechanism for the vertical and horizontal distribution of resources, making its role more critical.
- Devolution of Tax Revenues: With the amendment of the Constitution in 2000, States were given a share in the Centre’s tax revenue pool. This devolution of tax revenues has increased the significance of the Finance Commission in determining the distribution of funds between the Centre and the States.
- Shift in Population Figures: The use of population figures in determining the distribution of resources has seen a shift from the earlier practice of using 1971 census data to considering 2011 census data. This shift has led to debates and controversies, particularly among States that have successfully controlled population growth rates, as it can affect their share of devolution.
- Deepening Faultlines: In recent years, faultlines between States have deepened along political, economic, and fiscal dimensions. The outcome of elections and regional disparities in terms of infrastructure, private investment, social indicators, and the rule of law have widened the north-south gap and brought regional imbalances into focus. Managing these faultlines while ensuring equitable distribution poses challenges for the Finance Commission.
- Concerns of Fiscal Incapacity vs. Fiscal Irresponsibility: The Finance Commission faces the challenge of determining the extent to which a State’s deficit is due to its fiscal incapacity or fiscal irresponsibility. Striking a balance between supporting deficit-ridden States without penalizing fiscally responsible ones is a complex task, as providing more to one State would mean giving less to others.
- Changing Economic Landscape: The post-reform period has witnessed shifts in India’s economic landscape, with some states experiencing higher growth rates and greater fiscal capacity compared to others. This dynamic requires the Finance Commission to consider the changing economic realities and ensure that the distribution formula reflects the current context
Addressing the concerns related to cesses and surcharges
- Clear Guidelines: The Finance Commission should lay down clear guidelines on when and under what circumstances cesses and surcharges can be levied. These guidelines should ensure that cesses and surcharges are not used as routine measures but rather as exceptional instruments to address specific needs or challenges.
- Cap on Amount Raised: The Finance Commission can suggest a formula or mechanism to cap the amount that can be raised through cesses and surcharges. This would prevent excessive reliance on these instruments and ensure that they do not become a substantial portion of the Centre’s total tax revenue.
- Transparency and Accountability: The government should enhance transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds generated through cesses and surcharges. It should provide regular reports on the utilization of these funds, demonstrating how they contribute to the intended purposes and benefit the states and the overall economy.
- Consultation with States: The Finance Commission should engage in extensive consultations with states while formulating guidelines regarding cesses and surcharges. States should have the opportunity to provide their input, share their concerns, and suggest ways to strike a balance between the Centre’s revenue requirements and the states’ financial autonomy.
- Alignment with Fiscal Responsibility: Any levies on cesses and surcharges should be in line with the principles of fiscal responsibility and budget management. The Finance Commission can ensure that these instruments are used judiciously and do not undermine the fiscal discipline goals set by the FRBM Act.
- Review and Evaluation: Regular review and evaluation of the impact of cesses and surcharges should be conducted to assess their effectiveness in achieving the intended objectives. The Finance Commission can play a crucial role in monitoring the usage of these instruments and recommending necessary adjustments based on the evaluation outcomes.
Implementing restraint on freebies
- Clear Definition: Establishing a clear definition of what constitutes a freebie is crucial to avoid ambiguity and misuse of resources. It should encompass measures that go beyond essential public services and infrastructure development and instead focus on non-essential giveaways or subsidies.
- Fiscal Responsibility and Budgetary Constraints: The Finance Commission can emphasize the importance of adhering to fiscal responsibility guidelines and staying within budgetary constraints. This ensures that resources are allocated judiciously and in a sustainable manner, avoiding the accumulation of unsustainable debt.
- Prioritization of Essential Services: Encouraging governments to prioritize essential public services, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, over non-essential freebies. This ensures that resources are allocated to areas that have a more significant and long-lasting impact on the overall well-being and development of the population.
- Evaluation of Impact: Regular evaluation of the impact of freebies on the economy, fiscal health, and the intended beneficiaries is essential. This evaluation can help identify any unintended consequences, potential wastage of resources, or negative effects on economic growth.
- Public Awareness and Discourse: Creating public awareness about the implications of excessive freebies and the importance of responsible fiscal management. Encouraging open discourse and dialogue among citizens, policymakers, and experts can foster a deeper understanding of the long-term consequences of unsustainable giveaways.
- Role of the Finance Commission: The Finance Commission can play a pivotal role in setting guidelines and recommendations for restraint on freebies. This includes providing advice on responsible fiscal management and ensuring that resource allocation aligns with long-term development goals.
Conclusion
- The Finance Commission plays a crucial role in India’s fiscal federalism. To address concerns regarding cesses, surcharges, and freebies, the Commission must provide clear guidelines, ensure transparency, and emphasize long-term fiscal sustainability. Stakeholder consultation, periodic evaluation, and public awareness are key to maintaining a balance between meeting welfare needs and promoting responsible fiscal management.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Male-centric approach in medicine, Challenges and way ahead
Central Idea
- The persistent male-centric approach in medicine disregards the physiological differences between men and women. Despite the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act of 1993 mandating the inclusion of women and minorities in clinical trials, gender disparities prevail. India, known as the pharmacy of the world, faces significant implications in clinical trials due to its generic drug production and consumption.
Generic Drugs, Trials, and Women’s Response
- Gender Disparities in Clinical Trials: Historically, clinical trials have predominantly included male participants, leading to a lack of understanding of how medications specifically affect women. This gender disparity in clinical trials contributes to gaps in knowledge regarding women’s response to generic drugs.
- Physiological Differences: Women’s bodies have unique physiological characteristics, such as hormone levels, body composition, and enzymatic activity, that can impact their response to medications. However, these differences have often been overlooked in clinical trials, resulting in a lack of data on how women specifically respond to generic drugs.
- Underrepresentation of Women: Women have been underrepresented in clinical trials for generic drugs, which has significant implications for their healthcare. Without adequate representation, it is challenging to determine the optimal dosages and potential side effects of medications for women.
- Inaccurate Dosages: Studies have revealed that nearly one-fifth of medications show differences in the active dose between men and women. This means that women may be receiving either inadequate doses or unintended overdoses of certain generic drugs due to the lack of gender-specific research.
- Suboptimal Treatment Outcomes: The underrepresentation of women in clinical trials for generic drugs can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Women may not receive the appropriate dosage of medication, resulting in ineffective treatment or potential harm due to overdosing.
- Personalized Medicine: Including more women in clinical trials for generic drugs is crucial for the development of personalized medicine. By understanding how women specifically respond to medications, healthcare providers can tailor treatment approaches to better meet the needs of female patients.
- Importance of Representation: The inclusion of diverse populations, including women, in clinical trials is essential for accurate and comprehensive data collection. It enables researchers to identify potential gender-specific variations in drug response and ensure that medications are safe and effective for both men and women.
Cardiac issues and the perpetuation of stereotypes: Significant challenges for women’s healthcare
- Prevalence of Cardiac Issues: While traditionally seen as a male-dominated health concern, cardiac issues are now recognized as having a slightly higher prevalence in women. However, stereotypes and biases often lead to delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and inadequate treatment for women experiencing cardiac problems.
- Diagnostic Disparities: Women with cardiac symptoms may face challenges in receiving timely and accurate diagnoses. Symptoms of heart disease can manifest differently in women compared to men, with women more likely to experience atypical symptoms. Unfortunately, these differences are not always fully understood or considered by healthcare professionals, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.
- Treatment Disparities: Studies consistently demonstrate that women are less likely to receive appropriate medications, diagnostic tests, and clinical procedures for cardiac issues, even in developed countries. This discrepancy can be attributed to stereotypes that portray women as “lesser men” or dismiss their symptoms as anxiety or stress-related, undermining the urgency of necessary interventions.
- Stereotypes and Bias: Stereotypes, such as the notion of the hysterical woman, continue to persist and influence healthcare decisions. These stereotypes can lead to a lack of trust and credibility when women seek medical attention for cardiac symptoms. It is essential to challenge and overcome such biases to ensure that women receive the appropriate care they need.
Reproductive Health and Maternal Mortality
- Maternal Mortality: Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of delivery. Despite significant progress in reducing maternal mortality globally, it remains a pressing issue, particularly in low-resource settings. Factors contributing to maternal mortality include inadequate access to healthcare, lack of skilled birth attendants, limited emergency obstetric care, and delays in receiving appropriate medical interventions.
- Complications of Pregnancy and Childbirth: Pregnancy and childbirth can pose various health risks to women. Complications such as hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, infections, and unsafe abortions can lead to severe health consequences or even death
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Pregnancy: Women with pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, face increased risks during pregnancy. These conditions can interact with pregnancy, leading to higher rates of complications and maternal mortality.
- Reproductive Rights and Autonomy: Reproductive health includes the right to make informed decisions about one’s reproductive choices, including family planning, pregnancy, and childbirth. Women’s reproductive rights are often restricted, denying them the autonomy to control their reproductive health.
- Inequities in Maternal Healthcare: Socioeconomic disparities, geographic location, and marginalized populations face additional challenges in accessing quality maternal healthcare. Women in rural or remote areas, indigenous communities, or minority groups may experience disproportionately higher maternal mortality rates due to limited access to healthcare facilities, cultural barriers, and discrimination.
- Postpartum Mental Health: Postpartum mental health disorders, such as postpartum depression and anxiety, pose significant challenges to women’s well-being. However, these disorders are often overlooked and underdiagnosed, leaving women without proper support and treatment.
Gaps in Sex-Specific Research
- Underrepresentation in Clinical Trials: Women have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials across various medical conditions and treatments. This gender disparity limits our understanding of how different therapies, medications, and interventions specifically affect women.
- Limited Focus on Sex-Specific Illnesses: Many diseases and conditions affect women differently than men, such as breast or endometrial cancers, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and pregnancy-related issues. However, there are significant gaps in research focusing specifically on these sex-specific illnesses, leading to limited knowledge about their causes, prevention, and treatment.
- Lack of Understanding of Sex-Specific Symptoms: Women often experience different symptoms or manifestations of certain diseases compared to men. For example, heart attack symptoms can be atypical in women, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Insufficient research on sex-specific symptoms hinders accurate diagnosis and appropriate medical interventions for women.
- Insufficient Data on Medication Safety and Efficacy: Medications may affect women differently due to hormonal fluctuations, body composition, or metabolism. However, clinical trials often fail to collect enough data on potential sex-specific differences in drug safety and efficacy. This can lead to inadequate dosing guidelines and potential adverse effects for women.
Way forward
- Increased Representation in Clinical Trials: Efforts should be made to ensure adequate representation of women in clinical trials for generic drugs and across various medical conditions. This will enable researchers to gather comprehensive data on how medications specifically affect women and tailor treatments accordingly.
- Sex-Specific Research: There is a need for increased focus on sex-specific research, particularly in areas such as reproductive health, sex-specific illnesses, and conditions with gender-specific variations. This research should explore differences in symptoms, treatment responses, and healthcare outcomes between men and women.
- Policy Interventions: Governments and healthcare authorities should implement policies that promote sex-specific research in medicine. This can include providing funding and resources for research projects focused on women’s health and establishing guidelines that emphasize the inclusion of women in clinical trials.
- Public Awareness and Education: Raising awareness among healthcare providers, researchers, and the general public about gender disparities in medicine is crucial. Educational initiatives should emphasize the importance of considering sex-specific differences in treatment approaches and highlight the need for equitable healthcare for women.
- Empowering Women in Healthcare: Empowering women to actively participate in their healthcare decisions and advocate for their needs is essential. This can be achieved through providing comprehensive health education, promoting self-advocacy, and encouraging women’s involvement in healthcare research and policy-making.
- Collaborative Efforts: Stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocacy groups, should collaborate to address gender disparities in medicine. By working together, they can identify gaps, share knowledge and best practices, and implement strategies to promote gender equality in healthcare.
- International Cooperation: The issue of gender disparities in medicine is not limited to one country or region. International cooperation, such as sharing research findings and collaborating on initiatives, can contribute to a more comprehensive and effective approach to addressing gender inequalities in healthcare globally.
Conclusion
- To ensure equal access to healthcare, women’s ailments must be properly understood and addressed. As India assumes the G-20 presidency, it presents an ideal opportunity to highlight this issue and align with the Sustainable Development Goals on women’s health. It is time to bridge the gender disparities in medicine and create a more equitable healthcare system for all.
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