24-April-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

INSURING THE FUTURE 

TOPIC: (GS3) SOCIAL ISSUES – SOURCE: THE HINDU 

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has instructed insurance companies to extend health insurance coverage to a wider demographic, including senior citizens above 65 years old. 

Currently, seniors are unable to obtain new health insurance policies for themselves. 

Demographic Trends 

• India’s population, is experiencing significant demographic changes. 
• The senior population (above 60 years old) is projected to increase from 10% to 30% by 2050, surpassing the current population of the United States. 
• Developed countries with high senior demographics face challenges in healthcare access, affordability, and caregiving infrastructure. 

Affordability Concerns 

• Some countries have government-funded healthcare systems, while others rely on private healthcare where cost influences access to quality care. 
• In India, only a small percentage can afford family health insurance plans. 

Importance of Affordable Healthcare 

• The next two decades are crucial for India’s future, as the workforce shifts away from agriculture, impacting traditional caregiving structures for the elderly. 
• Southern Indian states provide insights into the challenges of healthcare accessibility and affordability. 

Recommendations 

• Broadening health insurance eligibility must be accompanied by making healthcare more affordable. 
• There’s a need for significant upgrades in affordable healthcare infrastructure to support the growing senior population. 

Some key schemes by government  

Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): 

• Flagship scheme providing Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization expenses. 
• Covers over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (~50 crore beneficiaries). 

Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS): 

• Applies to employees earning monthly wages below Rs. 21,000 in factories and other establishments. 

Benefits of GoI Schemes: 

• Financial protection: Reduces burden of medical expenses on low-income families. 
• Improved access: Encourages hospitalization and quality treatment. 
• Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Goal: Contributes to the government’s vision of UHC.  

Challenges: 

• Awareness: Ensuring scheme awareness and proper utilization remains crucial. 
• Infrastructure: Expanding hospital networks and improving service quality is needed. 
• Funding Sustainability: Long-term financial sustainability requires continuous monitoring 

Health insurance schemes play a vital role in enhancing healthcare access for a significant population. Addressing challenges and effective implementation are key to achieving the vision of UHC. 

TOWARDS A LESS POOR AND MORE EQUAL COUNTRY 

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE – SOURCE: THE HINDU 

World Inequality Lab published a paper titled “Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of the Billionaire Raj”. Made using various data sources to analyse income and wealth distribution in India. 

Income Inequality 

• India’s income inequality ranks among the highest globally. 
• By 2022-23, the top 1% of India’s population received 22.6% of the national income, the highest in a century. 

• The top 0.1% earned nearly 10% of the national income, showcasing extreme income concentration. 

Wealth Inequality 

• In 2022-23, the top 1% owned 40.1% of the national wealth, the highest since 1961. 
• The share of wealth among the top 10% increased significantly over the years, while the bottom 50% and middle 40% witnessed declines. 
• India’s wealth inequality, though not as extreme as Brazil and South Africa, has tripled since 1961. 

Human Development 

• India ranks 134 out of 193 countries in the Human Development Report 2023-2024. 
• Economic growth hasn’t translated into proportional human development growth, lagging behind neighboring countries like Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. 
• Economic inequality significantly impacts India’s human development ranking. 

Understanding Inequality: 

• Wealth inequality refers to the unequal distribution of assets and income within a population. 
• The Gini coefficient is a statistical tool used to measure the extent of this inequality. 

The Gini Coefficient: 

• Ranges from 0 to 1 (or 0% to 100%). 
• 0 signifies perfect equality (everyone has the same wealth). 
• 1 represents perfect inequality (one person holds all the wealth). 

Interpreting the Gini Coefficient: 

• Higher Gini coefficient indicates greater wealth inequality. 
• A coefficient of 0.4 suggests a more unequal distribution than 0.2. 

Gini Coefficient and India: 

• India’s Gini coefficient is relatively high compared to some developed nations. 
• This reflects a significant gap between rich and poor. 

Impact of Wealth Inequality: 

• Reduced social mobility and economic opportunities. 
• Increased poverty and social unrest. 
• Potential strain on public services. 

Addressing Wealth Inequality: 

• Progressive taxation systems. 
• Social welfare programs. 
• Policies promoting job creation and income growth. 

AN OVERVIEW OF THE PMAY-U SCHEME 

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE – SOURCE: THE HINDU 

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Scheme: Launched in 2015, PMAY aimed to achieve “Housing for All (HfA)” by 2022 in both urban and rural areas. 

Objectives: 

• Improve housing affordability for weaker sections. 
• Redevelop slums with private sector participation (in-situ slum redevelopment – ISSR). 
• Provide subsidies for beneficiary-led construction (BLC) and credit-linked schemes (CLSS). 

Performance: 

• Despite extension till 2024, HFA remains unachieved. 
• Urban housing shortage remains high (around 40 lakh unbuilt sanctioned houses). 
• ISSR, crucial for slum dwellers, has seen minimal success (only 2.1 lakh sanctioned houses). 

Reasons for Shortfall: 

• Private Sector Participation: 
• ISSR projects with high-rise buildings created issues like high maintenance costs for residents. 
• Community involvement in planning was lacking. 
• Land Issues:Land restrictions (airports, railways) hampered ISSR implementation. 
• City Master Plans:Focus on big-ticket projects in city plans neglected social housing needs. 

Financial Breakdown: 

• Centre contributes only 25% (₹2.03 lakh crore) of the total investment. 
• Beneficiaries themselves contribute the most (60% or ₹4.95 lakh crore). 
• State governments and local bodies contribute the remaining 15% (₹1.33 lakh crore). 

Focus on Beneficiary-Owned Land: 

• BLC (62% of sanctioned houses) and CLSS (21%) schemes rely on beneficiary-owned land. 
• Government’s role in these is limited to cost-sharing and subsidy provision. 
• Only 2.5% of beneficiaries are slum dwellers targeted for rehabilitation under ISSR. 

Conclusion: 

PMAY has fallen short of its ambitious goals, particularly in urban areas.Rethinking private sector involvement, land acquisition, and beneficiary needs is crucial. 

HOW IS INDIA PLANNING TO BOOST EV PRODUCTION? 

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY– SOURCE: PIB 

The government approved a policy on March 15 to boost Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing in India, through Electric Vehicle (EV) Manufacturing Policy 

Electric Vehicle (EV) Manufacturing Policy 

• The goal is to attract global EV companies like Tesla and BYD to start making EVs in India and promote local production. 
• The policy includes reducing import duty on EVs brought in as complete vehicles if the manufacturer builds a factory in India within three years. 
• It also offers a total duty waiver on imported EVs, up to a maximum of 40,000 units, based on the investment made. 
• Manufacturers must localize production, aiming for 25% by the third year and 50% by the fifth year, or risk losing bank guarantees. 

Implications 

• The policy encourages global EV giants to invest in India and produce locally. 
• It incentivizes setting up manufacturing units and meeting localization targets, boosting domestic production and job creation. 

Impact on Domestic Players: 

• May benefit high-end EV segment dominated by foreign manufacturers. 
• Potential for collaboration between Indian and global EV companies. 

Challenges and Considerations: 

• EVs need to be adapted to Indian conditions (roads, environment, usage). 
• Lack of charging infrastructure and affordable EVs hinder passenger vehicle adoption. 
• Importance of building a strong domestic EV ecosystem (component reliability, service support). 
• Focus on domestic demand and product design for long-term success. 

Government initiatives  

• Attract investments: Reduced import duty on CBUs with conditions, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for EVs and batteries. 
• Boost domestic manufacturing: Phased Manufacturing Programmes (PMP) with localization targets, encouraging domestic EV component production. 
• Enhance demand: Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme offering subsidies for EV purchase, focus on charging infrastructure development. 

BLOOD BIOMARKERS 

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY– SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS 

The proposition of utilizing blood biomarkers for screening purposes has emerged as a promising avenue for detecting cancer in its early stages. 

Biomarkers 

• Biomarkers, or Biological Markers, are measurable characteristics in the human body. 
• They can be physical, chemical, or biological in nature and are measurable. 

Importance 

• Essential in disease diagnosis, medication prescription, and drug development. 
• Include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, genes, DNA, RNA, platelets, enzymes, and hormones. 

Classification 

Based on Source or Location: 

• Molecular Biomarkers: Measured in biological samples like blood plasma, serum, and urine. 
• Radiographic Biomarkers: Obtained from imaging studies, e.g., bone mineral density scans. 
• Histologic Biomarkers: Reflect biochemical or molecular changes in cells or tissues, aiding in cancer staging. 
• Physiologic Biomarkers: Measure body processes such as blood pressure and heart rate. 
• Diagnostic Biomarkers: Used to detect or confirm a disease. 

Cancer Diagnosis and Management 

• Biomarkers are extensively used in cancer diagnosis and management. 
• They enable early detection of cancer, leading to timely intervention and improved outcomes. 

cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment 

• Markers like cholesterol levels, C-reactive protein, and troponin help identify individuals at higher risk of heart disease, enabling early intervention and preventive measures. 

Challenges and Future Directions 

• Standardization and Validation: One of the primary challenges in biomarker research is standardizing measurement techniques and validating biomarker assays. 

RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2016 (RPWD ACT) 

TOPIC: (GS3) SOCIAL ISSUES– SOURCE: PIB 

The Supreme Court recently expressed disappointment over the inadequate implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD Act) throughout India. 

• Persons with Disabilities Act, (RPwD Act) Enacted in 2016, effective from April 19, 2017, replacing the 1995(RPwD Act) 
• Aims to ensure dignity, non-discrimination, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs). 

Definition and Classification of Disabilities: 

• Defines disability as an evolving concept and expands types from 7 to 21. 
• Allows the Central Government to include more types of disabilities. 

Rights and Entitlements: 

• Ensures equal rights for PwDs, incorporating provisions from the UNCRPD. 
• Provides additional benefits for persons with benchmark disabilities and high support needs. 
• Mandates free education for children with benchmark disabilities aged 6 to 18. 
• Reserves 5% of seats in government and aided higher educational institutions for PwDs. 

Accessibility: 

• Emphasizes accessibility in public buildings within a specified timeframe. 

Employment Reservation: 

• Reserves 4% of government jobs for certain persons or classes of persons with benchmark disability. 

Guardianship: 

• Grants guardianship through the District Court or designated authority, promoting joint decision-making. 

Advisory Bodies: 

• Establishes Central and State Advisory Boards on Disability for policy-making. 

Monitoring and Grievance Redressal: 

• Strengthens the Office of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities and State Commissioners as regulatory bodies. 
• Sets up National and State Funds to support PwDs. 

Penalties for Offences: 

• Imposes penalties for offenses against PwDs or violations of the Act, including imprisonment and fines. 
• Establishes Special Courts in each district to handle cases concerning PwDs’ rights violations. 

SAFEGUARD MEASURES OF WTO 

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – SOURCE: THE HINDU 

India and several other countries, such as Switzerland, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, and Russia, have voiced criticism towards the European Union for choosing not to end its safeguard measure on imports of specific steel products following a review. 

Safeguard Measures 

• Safeguard measures are emergency actions permitted under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. 
• They allow a country to temporarily restrict imports of a product to protect its domestic industry from serious injury caused by increased imports. 

Types of Safeguard Measures 

• Quantitative Import Restrictions:Limit the quantity of imported goods allowed into the country. 
• Duty Increases:Raise tariffs above bound rates on imported products. 

Objectives 

• Aim to prevent or alleviate serious harm to the domestic industry. 
• Intended to provide temporary relief until the affected industry can adjust to increased competition. 
• Temporary Nature:Safeguard measures must be temporary and progressively liberalized while in effect. 
• Protection from Serious Injury:Can only be imposed when imports are causing or threatening serious injury to the domestic industry. 
• Non-Selective Application:Generally applied on a most-favored-nation (MFN) basis, treating all trading partners equally. 

Comparison with Other Trade Protection Measures 

• Unlike anti-dumping and countervailing measures, safeguard measures do not require evidence of unfair practices. 
• They focus solely on preventing or mitigating harm to domestic industries from increased imports. 

TUNDRA ECOSYSTEM 

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY – SOURCE: THE HINDU  

A study has cautioned that the warming of the planet might change the attributes of tundra environments, potentially shifting them from absorbing carbon to releasing it. 

• Tundra ecosystems are treeless regions located in the Arctic and on mountaintops. 
• Found in cold, windy climates with minimal rainfall. 

Characteristics 

• Average temperatures range from -34 to -6 degrees Celsius (-30 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit). 
• Short Growing Seasons: Summer growing seasons last only 50 to 60 days, with up to 24 hours of sunlight per day. 

• Permafrost:Permanently frozen soil lies beneath the surface, ranging from a few inches to several feet thick. 
• Minimal Precipitation:Despite similarities to deserts in moisture levels, tundras receive low precipitation, mainly as snow. 
• Limited Biodiversity:Harsh conditions result in fewer plant and animal species compared to other biomes. 
• Carbon Sink:Tundras serve as significant carbon storage areas due to slow decomposition rates in the cold environment. 

Flora 

• Common plants include mosses, lichens, sedges, cotton grass, and birches. 

Fauna 

• Wildlife includes Arctic foxes, snow geese, polar bears, and other cold-adapted species.