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General Studies – 1
Reference: Hindustan Times
Introduction
Dalit women constitute a vast section of India’s population. They have been socially excluded and humiliated for a long period of time. Government through ‘Positive interventions’, ‘affirmative measures’ have consistently developed policies for their economic, social and political empowerment.
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International reports note that discrimination begins early, and is evident in factors such as a mother’s access to healthcare and an infant’s access to adequate nutrition. This continues into the education system.
- Failure of policies:
- The policies are inadequate to minimize the handicaps and disabilities of the past and in reducing the gaps between them and the rest of the Indian society.
- Dalit women continue to suffer from a high degree of poverty, gender discrimination, caste discrimination and socioeconomic deprivation.
- Violence:
- Girls face violence at a younger age and at a higher rate than women of other castes. According to the National Family Health Survey by the age of 15, 33.2% scheduled caste women experience physical violence.
- The figure is 19.7% for “other” category women.
- The violence continues, largely due to a sense of impunity among dominant castes.
- Political power does not help:
- Even when Dalit women acquire political power, as when they are elected as sarpanches, there is often no protection against the social power that sanctions violence and discrimination against them.
- In a village with a Dalit woman sarpanch, a Dalit woman was burned, but no action was taken.
- Attitude of dominant castes:
- There is a mind-set among the dominant castes that make them feel that they can do anything they want with dalit girls and that they will get away with it.
- The discrimination faced by Dalit women at the cost of the Brahmanical obsession with “purity and pollution” has had a detrimental effect on all the dimensions of development.
- Even today Dalit women along with their families are commonly clustered in segregated hamlets at the edge of a village or mohallas in one corner of the village, devoid of civic amenities, drinking water, health care, education, approach roads etc.
- In urban areas their homesteads are largely found in slum bases normally located in very unhygienic surrounding.
- The exploitation of them under the name of religious such as “Nude Worship,” practice of devdasi system and such other similar types of practices make them more submissive to violence, and discrimination.
- The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women has noted that Dalit women face targeted violence, even rape and murder, by the state actors and powerful members of the dominant castes used to inflict political lessons and crush dissent within the community.
- Cases withdrawn and lack of justice:
- Very often cases are withdrawn and witnesses turn hostile because of pressure outside the system without adequate protection given to them.
- Sanctioned impunity on behalf of offenders is a major issue in India, and the police often deny or purposefully neglect and delay Dalit women’s right to legal aid and justice. There is a consistent pattern of delay in report filing and irregularities regarding criminal procedures, which leads to widespread impunity and creates serious barriers to justice for Dalit women.
- Workplace violence:
- The risky workplaces compounded with a lack of labour rights protection measures render migrants dalit women more vulnerable to occupational injury.
- Further, the emerging problem of sub-contracting short-termed labour makes it more difficult for them to claim compensation when they are injured at work places.
- Dalit women are most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by employers, migration agents, corrupt bureaucrats and criminal gangs.
- The enslavement trafficking also contributes to migration of large proportion of dalit women.
Aspects which improved so far
- Majority of educated Dalit women pursuing public sector jobs were only able to access temporary, low paid, work which lacked social security and labour rights.
- Most of them were employed in typically female jobs, with 50% in New Delhi being employed as teachers in government schools, often below their own skill level.
- In the private sector, liberalisation did result in increased employment for educated Dalit women. These women, over 70% of whom were between 20-30 years, and 80% of whom were single, had accessed education through the reservation policies.
- They were improving their technical and computer skills to meet the needs of the business that had started, especially in the growing services sector, and working for sub-contractors of larger companies.
- Some of the Dalit women employees did gain some respect from their families and communities, even if patriarchal norms continued their subordination to male authority within the household.
Measures to improve
- Sensible labour laws reforms to give exit options to Dalit women trapped in a system. Integrating social and cultural transformation with an economic alternative is critical.
- Huge investments will be needed in up skilling and educating women and government needs to create an abundance of new jobs within the formal sector and lowering barriers to job creation.
- Increased availability of stable-wage jobs for women is critical to preventing their socio-economic exploitation.
- With bridging the deep-rooted biases through sustained reconditioning: -It is only possible by promoting the idea of gender equality and uprooting social ideology of male child preferability.
- They should be given decision-making powers and due position in governance.
- Thus, the Women Reservation Bill should be passed as soon as possible to increase the effective participation of women in the politics of India.
- Bridging implementation gaps:
- Government or community-based bodies must be set up to monitor the programs devised for the welfare of the society.
- Dalit women need group and gender specific policies and programmes to address the issue of multiple deprivations.
- Dalit women require comprehensive policies on health, especially on the maternal and child health
- Make credit available by pooling the women to form self-help groups. The example of Kudumbashree model of Kerala can be emulated.
Conclusion
Dalit women in India are situated at a very crucial juncture right now where they have to cross three thresholds simultaneously: class, class and patriarchy. These are the three hierarchical axes of social structure which are crucial to the understanding of gender relations and the oppression of Dalit women.
General Studies – 2
Reference: The Hindu
Introduction
COVID-19 has forced South Asia to take a quantum leap in digitalisation. The shift to remote work and education has propelled an unprecedented spike in Internet penetration, with even smaller nations such as Nepal recording almost an 11% increase in broadband Internet users.
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Background
- As one of the world’s poorest regions, a wide digital divide persists in access and affordability, between and within the countries of South Asia.
- Despite having the world’s second largest online market, 50% of India’s population are without Internet with 59% for Bangladesh and 65% for Pakistan.
- With monetary and health assistance schemes distributed online, 51% of South Asian women were excluded from social protection measures during the pandemic.
- Children too were at the receiving end, with 88% lacking access to Internet powered home schooling.
- Businesses too have paid a heavy price for the gap in digital solutions, whereby many South Asian firms failing to embrace e-commerce or other cloud-based technologies to survive the financial chaos of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
- The region recorded a 64% decline in sales, with small and women-led firms faring the worst.
- With COVID-19 transforming work life, the acute skills gap among youth will continue, creating unemployment.
Digital revolution in South Asia
- In India, COVID-19 accelerated the launch of the National Digital Health Mission, enhancing the accessibility and the efficiency of health-care services by creating a unique health ID for every citizen.
- The pandemic-induced suspension of bricks-and-mortar businesses spurred South Asia’s embrace of e-commerce, boosted by digital payment systems.
- Bangladesh alone witnessed an increase of 70-80% in online sales in 2020, generating $708.46 million in revenues.
- The Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021 envisages transforming Bangladesh into a prosperous, digital society, whereas India’s biometric identification systems intend to improve the efficiency of welfare programmes through digital innovation.
- Fintech could drive significant growth and reduce poverty by building financial inclusion. For instance, Pakistan’s digital financial sector could boost GDP by 7%, if faster payment gateway, lower costs and fast track licensing are put in place.
- A timely, inclusive, and sustainable digital transformation can not only bolster productivity and growth but also serve as a panacea for some of the region’s socio-economic divides.
Need for shared digital vision: Key to South Asia’s Fourth Industrial Revolution
- During the pandemic, South Asian nations joined hands to collectively battle the crises by contributing towards a COVID-19 emergency fund, exchanging data and information on health surveillance, sharing research findings, and developing an online learning platform for health workers.
- If the eight nations (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) can start walking the talk, partnership for a successful digital revolution is plausible.
- By addressing issues such as regulatory barriers on currency flows inhibiting online payment to transport-related constraints for cross-border e-commerce activities, South Asia can emulate the European Union’s Digital Single Market Proposal.
- For the sector to drive growth, issues such as customer protection, digital and market access regulation, etc. need to be addressed. There would be no digital revolution without universal digital literacy.
- Governments and businesses need to come together to revamp the education system to meet the demand for digital skills and online platforms.
- The crossflow of data and personal information calls for stringent cybersecurity measures as many have experienced painful lessons in data privacy during the pandemic.
- It will need vision, wisdom, and commitment at the highest level of the region’s political leadership.
- Concerted collaboration at all levels is needed to push South Asia out of stagnancy and towards a digital future of shared prosperity.
Conclusion
The right concoction of regulatory and physical infrastructure, skill sets and regional cooperation can lead toward a digital utopia whereas, the lack of which can breed a dystopian tomorrow. Adequate support is needed for those who risk falling through the net of digital progress. A shared “digital vision” could place the region on the right track towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Reference: Indian Express
Introduction
In 2015, India unveiled its strategic vision for the Indian Ocean i.e. Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). It is an increasing recognition of the increasing importance of maritime security, maritime commons and cooperation.
Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours and assist in building their maritime security capabilities. For this, India would cooperate on the exchange of information, coastal surveillance, building of infrastructure and strengthening their capabilities.
Further, India seeks to safeguard its national interests and ensure Indian Ocean region to become inclusive, collaborative and respect international law.
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Need for SAGAR Vision
- Leveraging Blue Economy
- Blue economypresents India with an unprecedented opportunity to meet its national socio-economic objectives (livelihood generation, achieving energy security, building ecological resilience etc.) as well as strengthening connectivity with neighbours.
- Apart from it, blue economy provides many opportunities:
- Oceans provide a substantial portion of the global population with food and livelihood, as well as transportation for 80% of global trade.
- The seabed currently provides 32% of the global supply of hydrocarbons, with exploration expanding. The sea also offers vast potential for renewable blue energyproduction from wind, wave, tidal, thermal and biomass sources.
- New technologies are opening frontiers ofmarine resource development from bio-prospecting to mining of seabed mineral resources (poly-metallic nodules).
- Tackling Regional Issues
- There is a need to strengthen efforts to provide humanitarian assistancein wake of natural disasters and counter non-state actors engaged in piracy and terrorism.
- Further, India seeks an integrated approach and cooperative future, which will result in sustainable development for allin the region.
- Checking Chinese Influence
- China through its maritime silk route (part of BRI initiative)has been increasing its influence in Indian Ocean region (IOR).
- Moreover, Chinese investments in India’s neighbouring countries are of dual nature i.e. commercial with military underpinnings.The string of pearls has caused strategic concerns for India.
- In this context, SAGAR vision assumes much importance in countering such issues.
Significance of SAGAR Vision
- SAGAR provides a mechanism for India to expand strategic partnerships with other IOR littorals in Asia and Africa.
- SAGAR indicates the leadership role and responsibilities India is ready to play in the region on a long-term basis in a transparent manner through its capacity building and capability enhancement programs.
- The key relevance of SAGAR emerges when seen in conjunction with India’s other policies impacting the maritime domain likeAct East Policy, Project Sagarmala, Project Mausam, India as ‘net security provider’, focus on Blue Economy
- This symbolises India’s maritime resurgence, as maritime issues are now centre of India’s foreign policy.
- With effective implementation of all these policies, India can act as an enabler to create a positive environment in the IOR.
Associated Challenges
- The ‘Global Commons’ approach(everyone’s property is no one’s responsibility) to using marine resources, especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction, with no oversight on issues of governance, access and benefit sharing.
- It poses a risk for overexploitation of marine resources.
- SAGAR Vision has created engagement of multiple players, the duplication of actions, and regional dependence on international navies.
Way Forward
- Formulating a Governance Framework
- A regional legally-binding instrument concerning marine genetic resource governance including issues of access to genetic resources and benefit sharing (ABS), is to be concluded within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).
- Further, there is a need to identify options and areas for designating as special ecologically and biologically sensitive areas to ensure such areas receive additional protection and sustainable management provisions.
- Focusing on Regional Organisation
- India must focus on theIndian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). IORA’s mandate is to promote sustainable growth and balanced development in the region.
- IORA needs to consider a special regional cooperation programme on Blue Economy.
- Recently, India has been granted the observer status in Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).India can learn from IOC Bottom-up regionalism.
- There is a need to make a tangible impact through Project Sagarmala,with a focus on port development, connectivity, port-led industrialisation, and coastal community development, in a timely and effective manner.
- The role of the Coast Guard Agenciesin all the Indian Ocean littorals becomes critical Therefore, SAGAR vision should now be expanded to include the coast guard agencies of the IOR littorals countries.
- SAGAR vision should not only tap the potential of oceans and marine areas for economic development of member states but also consider focusing on contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Conclusion
India’s consultative, democratic and equitable leadership can help achieve the Security and sustainable growth to all in the region. Apart from it, India must also lead in ensuring Sustainability and Growth for All in the Region.
Reference: The Hindu
Introduction
The public education system is the primary option for millions of students in India. These institutions have become more important as the pandemic takes a toll on the economy, putting fee-charging schools beyond the reach of many and forcing thousands to move to government schools.
COVID-induced financial woes have forced parents to shift their wards to public education institutions. About 51% students are in government schools and nearly 10% in aided schools, yet there seems to be a bias against such schools amongst wider sections of the middle class.
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Challenges faced by Government schools:
- Infrastructure issues:
- Most of them do not have proper infrastructure like class rooms, black boards, drinking water, toilets and sanitary facilities.
- The school environment is so suffocating that the students are dissuaded from attending the classes which is why the dropout rate is also high.
- Almost half the government schools in the country do not have electricity or playgrounds.
- There is slow progress in building classrooms, labs and libraries to strengthen government higher secondary schools.
- The secondary and higher secondary level government schools do not have adequate capacities, so the net enrolment falls, especially girls, sharply beyond the primary level.
- Budgetary and expenditure issues:
- The budgetary allocations saw a 27% cut from proposals made by the School Education Department. Despite proposals for ₹82,570 crore, only ₹59,845 crore was allocated.
- Overall, for the core Samagra Shiksha Scheme, the department had only spent 71% of revised estimates by December 31, 2019.
- Poor quality of education:
- Several reports suggest that nearly 70% of students studying in government schools are ill-equipped to learn in the class they are admitted to.
- The private schools offer an enhanced teaching experience, better student-teacher ratio, efficient learning methodologies, and superior infrastructure, thus driving parents away from government schools.
- Teacher issues:
- India is also dealing with a scenario of significant teacher vacancies, which are to the tune of almost 60-70 per cent in some states.
- Teachers’ professional development is a very weak area in government schools.
- Almost half the regular teacher vacancies are filled by guest or ad hoc teachers.
- Nearly, 95% of teacher education is in private hands and most of it is substandard.
- Absenteeism of teachers in these schools is very high. Even though they are paid a much higher salary than the teachers in private schools, they cheat the government and fail to discharge their duties as teachers. And sadly, no action is being taken to prevent this.
- Poor implementation of RTE Act:
- Barely 15% of the schools can be called compliant with the RTE.
- Section 29 of the RTE explains what kind of education every child has a right to. There is no government school that is complying with that, including elite schools.
- Corruption:
- The officers in the education department, being ‘managed,’ file false reports about the working conditions of schools.
- Political interference and patronage shield the corrupt and incompetent.
- Perception of private schools:
- People feel there are not enough teachers in government schools, or the schools may not be functioning regularly.
- They get carried away by the notions of a branded private school, even though it may not have good teachers.
- Also, private schools’ brand themselves as English medium and it is most imperative for children’s education.
- Patriarchal norms and gender bias:
- According to the ASER report by Pratham in 2020, parents prefer private schools for education of boys while girl students are primarily sent to government schools to get basic education.
- The ASER 2019 report states that parents exhibit a unique bias when it comes to selection of schools for their children.
- The report shows that parents are more likely to opt for a private school when selecting a school for boys while government schools are primary choice of parents when it comes to girl’s education.
Measures needed:
- The government (State and Union) has toimprove pedagogy, teacher development, the level of community participation, the parent committees, etc.
- India should also look at the basic safety, well-being and hygiene factors in government schools. Such as, well functioning toilets, drinking water and proper compound walls.
- India can create better professional networks for teachers, this will help teachers to continuously learn from each other.
- Developing a micro plan for every school, and a larger plan for schools at the district level, and then at the State level.
- Local bodies can take ownership of government schools, and school development committees can be linked with elected local bodies, so they can support the needs of schools.
- Create a comprehensive curriculum reviewlike Kerala and synchronise it at a national level to facilitate the incorporation of inter-state migrated children.
Way forward:
The Delhi model of education has caught the attention of people in Delhi and beyond, in the last five years. It built a model which essentially has five major components and is supported by nearly 25% of the State Budget. The validation of this model now creates a pathway for the next set of reforms. For too long, there have been two kinds of education models in the country: one for the classes and another for the masses. The government in Delhi sought to bridge this gap. Its approach stems from the belief that quality education is a necessity, not a luxury.
General Studies – 3
Reference: Hindustan Times
Introduction
The need for new climate-specific coordination mechanisms is undeniable. Frequent disasters are battering India’s states and creating additional burdens on state finances and administrators already stretched by Covid-19. States are the beating heart of climate action, constitutionally responsible for areas such as agriculture, water, and local government, and jointly responsible for electricity and forests, which are critical to India’s emissions.
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Importance of involving States in combating climate change
- As the 7th schedule powers are such as agriculture, water and land are under State list, the issue of GHG emissions and desertification falls under the ambit of the states.
- Centre which has committed to Paris agreement and cutting greenhouse gas emissions requires states’ help in implementing them on ground.
- Focus on Ease of Doing business also requires that it is done in a sustainable manner without compromising environmental laws. Meaning, states are at the heart of these decisions.
- As the grassroot implementation of green policies lies with state, involving them in planning and adequate fund devolution is tantamount to combat climate change.
Enabling states to transition toward climate-resilient and low-carbon societies
- The states will need to invest in specialised personnel across core climate departments (power, agriculture, water) and in nodal climate units that coordinate across departments and with local bodies.
- The Centre can play an important supporting role by providing credible analysis on low-carbon policy choices to the states when required.
- It can also help by expanding the capacities of central universities and agencies, and supporting knowledge creation and policy ideas emerging from civil society.
- State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs), mandated a decade ago, faltered due to ambiguity about who would pay for the sprawling plans.
- States that update their plans should be given a clear sense of how much additional support they can rely on.
- To meet its constraints, the Centre could selectively incentivise actions that align with national priorities and international pledges.
- Previous FC reports have chartered a progressive course in areas such as disaster preparedness, forest management, and air pollution, while CSSs related to urban planning, electricity development and rural work (for example) are pertinent to the climate crisis.
- Such modifications are an interim step; long-term fiscal strategy should emphasise flexible climate funds that the states can adapt to local realities.
Conclusion
Greater capacity and financial incentives will lead to more policies at multiple scales, which throw up the question of coordination. Coordination is challenging because varied state efforts must ultimately coalesce into a coherent national story, even while allowing for local experimentation. A strategic national framework that lays out broad guidance and signals opportunities and priorities is an important starting point.
Reference: Indian Express
Introduction
“Food Security” is one of crucial factors of development and poverty alleviation around the globe the right to food is a principle of international human rights law. Food security, as defined by the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security (CFS), is the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Our current understanding of food security includes the four dimensions of access, availability, utilisation and stability.
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India is self-sufficient in production of major food commodities:
- The latest edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, released jointly by five UN organisations in July, reveals that the pandemic and failure on the part of state to combat its effects, has led to a significant increase in the prevalence of hunger and food insecurity in the country.
- According to the data presented in the report, the prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity in India rose by about 6.8 percentage points in 2018-20.
- In absolute terms, the number of persons facing moderate to severe food insecurity has increased by about 9.7 crore since the outbreak of Covid.
- The irony is that this happened when the government had an unprecedented 100 million tonnes of food grains in its godowns — larger than the food stocks of any country.
- The country with the largest stock of grain in the world — 120 million tonnes as of July 1, 2021 — accounts for a quarter of the world’s food-insecure population.
- Estimates show that, in 2020, over 237 crore people were grappling with food insecurity globally, an increase of about 32 crore from 2019.
- South Asia alone accounts for 36 per cent of global food insecurity.
The underlying gaps to food security in India:
- Economic distress:
- The significant rise in food insecurity, as shown by these data, is a clear manifestation of the overall economic distress during this period marked by a deepening agrarian crisis, falling investments across sectors and shrinking employment opportunities.
- The latest PLFS data have shown that the unemployment rates in the recent years have been higher than in the last four decades.
- It is widely believed that demonetisation and introduction of the Goods and Services Tax were two prime causes of economic distress during this period.
- NFSA issues:
- The NSFA does not guarantee universal right to food: Targeted –Restricts the right to food to only 75% of rural and 50% of urban population in India
- Act would not apply in times of “war, flood, drought, fire, cyclone or earthquake”. This a highly problematic clause given that food is becomes utmost necessary during these circumstances
- The Act focuses primarily on distribution of rice and wheat and fails to address the ‘utilization’ dimension of food security.
- Given that a major reason for micronutrient deficiency in India is because of a cereal-based diet; the NSFA does not address the issue of malnutrition and nutritional deficiency adequately.
- Under the National Food Security Act, the identification of beneficiaries is to be completed by State Governments. As per findings of Comptroller and Auditor General in 2016, a massive 49 % of the beneficiaries were yet to be identified by the State Governments.
- Quality issues:
- Inadequate distribution of food through public distribution mechanism, food adulterations in distributed food
- Beneficiaries have complained of receiving poor quality food grains.
- Issues with procurement:
- Open-ended Procurement: All incoming grains accepted even if buffer stock is filled creating a shortage in the open market.
- The recent implementation of Nation food security act would only increase the quantum of procurement resulting in higher prices for grains.
- The gap between required and existing storage capacity.
- The open market operations (OMO) are much less compared to what is needed to liquidate the excessive stocks.
- Issues with storage:
- Inadequate storage capacity with FCI.
- Food grains rotting or damaging on the CAP or Cover & Plinth storage.
- The money locked in these excessive stocks (beyond the buffer norm) is more than Rs 1 lakh crore.
- Issues with allocation of food grains:
- Inaccurate identification of beneficiaries.
- Illicit Fair Price shops: The shop owners have created a large number of bogus cards or ghost cards (cards for non-existent people) to sell food grains in the open market.
- Issues with transportation:
- Leakages in food grains distribution to be reduced as most leakages in PDS takes place in initial stages.
- Climate Change:
- Higher temperatures and unreliable rainfall makes farming difficult. Climate change not only impacts crop but also livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, and can cause grave social and economic consequences in the form of reduced incomes, eroded livelihoods, trade disruption and adverse health impacts.
- Lack of access to remote areas:
- For the tribal communities, habitation in remote difficult terrains and practice of subsistence farming has led to significant economic backwardness.
- Increase in rural-to-urban migration, large proportion of informal workforce resulting in unplanned growth of slums which lack in the basic health and hygiene facilities, insufficient housing and increased food insecurity.
- Overpopulation, poverty, lack of education and gender inequality.
- Corruption:
- Diverting the grains to open market to get better margin, selling poor quality grains at ration shops, irregular opening of the shops adds to the issue of food insecurity.
Important recommendations made by Shantha Kumar Committee.:
- Reduce the number of beneficiaries under the Food Security Act—from the current 67 per cent to 40 per cent.
- While the poor under the Antyodaya category should keep getting the maximum food subsidy, for others, the issue price should be fixed at, say, 50 per cent of the procurement price (as was done under Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the BPL category)
- Allow private players to procure and store food grains.
- Stop bonuses on minimum support price (MSP) paid by states to farmers, and adopt cash transfer system so that MSP and food subsidy amounts can be directly transferred to the accounts of farmers and food security beneficiaries.
- Limit the procurement of rice particularly in the north-western states of Punjab and Haryana where the groundwater table is depleting fast, and invite private sector participation in grain management
- FCI should involve itself in full-fledged grains procurement only in those states which are poor in procurement. In the case of those states which are performing well, like Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, the states should do the procurement.
- Abolishing levy rice: Under levy rice policy, government buys certain percentage of rice (varies from 25 to 75 per cent in states) from the mills compulsorily, which is called levy rice. Mills are allowed to sell only the remainder in the open market.
- Deregulate fertiliser sector and provide cash fertiliser subsidy of Rs 7,000 per hectare to farmers.
- Outsource of stocking of grains: The committee calls for setting up of negotiable warehouse receipt (NWR) system. In the new system, farmers can deposit their produce in these registered warehouses and get 80 per cent of the advance from bank against their produce on the basis of MSP.
- Clear and transparent liquidation policy for buffer stock: FCI should be given greater flexibility in doing business; it should offload surplus stock in open market or export, as per need.
- Cooperative societies play an important role in food security in India especially in the southern and western parts of the country. The cooperative societies set up shops to sell low priced goods to poor people. The cooperatives should be encouraged.
- Fostering rural-urban economic linkages can be an important step towards ensuring food security by-
- enhancing and diversifying rural employment opportunities, especially for women and youth,
- enabling the poor to better manage risks through social protection,
- leveraging remittances for investments in the rural sector as a viable means for improving livelihoods
Way forward:
- It is critical for India to conduct a national survey on food insecurity to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security of different sections of the population.
- The right to food is a well-established principle of international human rights law. It has evolved to include an obligation for state parties to respect, protect, and fulfil their citizens’ right to food security.
- As a state party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, India has the obligation to ensure the right to be free from hunger and the right to adequate food.
- India needs to adopt a policy that brings together diverse issues such as inequality, food diversity, indigenous rights and environmental justice to ensure sustainable food security.
Reference: Times of India
Introduction
The world faces a growing paradox in the campaign to contain climate change. The harder it pushes the transition to a greener economy, the more expensive the campaign becomes, and the less likely it is to achieve its aim, to limit the worst effects of global warming.
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Governments around the world are focused on driving up the demands of materials required to build a clean economy. They are also curbing the supply of sources that are contributors to carbon. For instance, discouraging investment in mines, smelters etc.
Paradox of containing climate change: The harder the world pushes the transition to a greener economy, the more expensive the campaign becomes.
- Greenflation: New government-directed spending is driving up demand for materials needed to build a cleaner economy. While tightening regulation is limiting supply by discouraging investment in mines, smelters, oil fields, or any source that belches carbon.
- The unintended result is greenflation – rising prices for metals and minerals such as copper, aluminium and lithium, which are essential to solar and wind power, electric cars, batteries and other renewable technologies.
- More consumption of fossil fuels:In the past, the transition to a new energy source provided a big boost to the old one.
- The advent of steam power inspired the makers of sailing ships to innovate more in 50 years than they had in the previous 300.
- Now, building green economies will consume more oil in the transition period, but producers aren’t responding the same way because political and regulatory resistance has darkened the future of fossil fuels.
- Rising green metal prices:which include metals like copper and aluminium.
- Aluminium is one of the dirtiest metals to produce, as bad as iron ore. Yet, it is also one of the metals most vital to solar and other green energy projects.
- Renewable technologies require more wiring than the fossil-fuel variety. Solar or wind power plants and electric cars use two to six times more copper than the technologies they aim to replace.
- Since the low point early last year, copper prices are up by more than 100%, aluminium by 75%.
- Increased Greenium:Limiting supply threatens to raise what Bill Gates calls the “greenium” – the premium the world must be prepared to pay for climate-friendly infrastructure.
- Retaliated by ESG movement:Investment in these green metals (aluminium, copper) has also been depressed by ESG – environmental, social and governance issues.
- Forty per cent of the world’s copper supply comes from the two largest producers, Chile and Peru, and in both countries, mining projects that used to take five years can now take ten or more.
Suggestions
The World will not be able to meet the rising demand for Green construction materials. So they require using more technology in order to facilitate them. For instance,
- The US has joined China in its commitment to carbon neutrality.
- Governments have announced Green spending plans
Conclusion
Solving this conundrum – how to supply enough dirty old material to build a new green economy – will require balance. Governments, and greens, in particular, need to recognise that trying to shut down the old economy too fast threatens to push the price of building a cleaner one out of reach.
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