Institute for CIVIL Services-ICS

05/10/2018

03/10/2018

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02/10/2018

Insights into Editorial: India’s urban mobility and congestion problem. Introduction:

India is a country with the second largest road network in the world. Out of the total stretch of 5.4 million km of road network, almost 97,991 km is covered by national highways.

Traffic congestion has increased dramatically in India. Congestion and the associated slow urban mobilitycan have a huge adverse impact on both the quality of life and the economy.

It is already a huge challenge for the Indian government to provide world-class roads, due to the sheer magnitude.

To add to it, India has to spend almost around ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 crore on the maintenance of roads every year. The reason behind this is the increase in the private vehicle ownership and the overburdening of roads in all major cities of the country.



Answers need to be identified for the following:

Are all cities in India congested or just some of them?

Are Delhi and Mumbai less or more congested than, say, Patna and Varanasi?

Are mobility and congestion different within cities across the centre and periphery, and at different times of the day?

How congested are Indian cities compared to cities in the US? What does the future hold?

Roads in cities are multi-purpose public goods, used by various classes of motorized and non-motorized vehicles to travel and park, as well as a wide variety of other users such as street-sellers, children playing and animals.



Understanding the problem of Congestion:

Our understanding of the underlying reasons for congestion is still evolving.

A popular view is that urbanization leads to ever larger cities and increased rates of motorization. These two features eventually lead to a complete gridlock and congestion.

However, economic growth also brings about better travel infrastructure, which facilitates uncongested mobility and increases the pace of urban mobility.

Indian cities have experienced both these trends. These changes are taking place at a much faster pace in India than in the UK and the US.

Transportation investments constitute the largest component of lending of many global development institutions.



Data on urban transportation in India is scarce. In the UK and the US, knowledge on urban mobility and congestion stems from surveys of household travel behaviour.

However, such surveys are prohibitively expensive to carry out in India. We used other methods to examine urban mobility and congestion.

World Bank used a popular web mapping and transportation service to generate information for more than 22 million trips across 154 large Indian cities.

The multi-purpose nature of urban transport also impacts urban mobility in India.



Policy challenge that need to be addressed by Area-Specific Approach:

The unique Indian travel patterns imply that country-specific and city-level policies are necessary.

Standard policy recommendations such as congestion pricing or other types of travel restrictions may do little to improve mobility.

Instead, potentially costly travel infrastructure investments may be the only way to improve uncongested mobility.

Better uncongested mobility generally correlates with the process of faster economic growth.



Slow urban mobility in India is primarily due to cities being slow all the time, rather than congested at peak hours. However, congestion is not a nationwide problem. It is concentrated near the centre of the largest Indian cities.

Given their importance to the Indian economy, these areas with the highest levels of congestion, such as the city centres of Kolkota and Bengaluru, should be the focus of policy efforts to alleviate congestion.



Conclusion:

Investment in urban transport also plays an important role in influencing property prices.

A deeper understanding of the interactions between urbanization, urban mobility and congestion will help improve investments in transport and city competitiveness.

Recently, the odd-even scheme devised by the Delhi CM created a lot of buzz, but did not seem enough, unless it is supported by other grass root level measures.

More primary roads and regular grid patterns are need to be associated with faster urban mobility.

There can be an 80% cut in CO2 emissions if cities embrace 3 revolutions (3R) in vehicle technology: automation, electrification, and, most importantly, ride sharing.



Way Forward:

Some of the solutions which can be used are given below.

Any solution is expected to be successfully implemented, it will definitely require effort and planning on a huge scale. This is especially for when we are coming up with plans which can reach the entire country.

Corruption will have to be curbed, and it will be extremely vital that the raw material is of the highest quality are used for the longevity and strength of the roads.

Road pricing system – people should be charged based on the length of the road and the duration for which they use the road. This will be difficult to implement and will require huge technological investment to become possible.



Improvement in public transport and additional schemes like BRT. The Bus Rapid Transport is implemented in some cities like Pune, and it can be very helpful if implemented correctly.

People should try and use carpooling and bike pooling as much as possible. Use of bicycles for smaller distances also improves individual health along with reducing pollution and road congestion.



Strict and stringent measures against traffic violators. A regulation in the traffic rules and fines levied for breaking them.

Metro can play a huge role in improving the traffic issues to a great extent. If Nagpur metro becomes successful, it will pave the way for implementation in other cities as well which can be very beneficial.



Increase in the use of CNG and electrical vehiclesand providing relief to those who use the same.

It’s time that city leaders and officers in India recognize the benefits of sustainable mobility and incorporate well-defined strategies and policies into their own public agendas. The future of their economies and their citizens depends on it.

29/09/2018

Insights into Editorial: Aadhaar programme reduces a person to 12 digits, says Supreme Court Judge Context:

Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Supreme court Judge, who wrote the lone dissenting opinion declaring Aadhaar unconstitutional, held that the unique identity scheme reduces a person to a 12-digit number.

Justice Chandrachud observed, “If the requirement of Aadhaar is made mandatory for every benefit or service which the government provides, it is impossible to live in contemporary India without Aadhaar.”

Today, Aadhaar is the world’s largest biometric and identity database with 122.56 Cr numbers issued to Indian citizens or persons living in India for more than 180 days. These have been used for around 2,322 Cr authentications.



Background: Origin of Aadhaar:

Following the report of the Kargil Review Committee, a Group of Ministers recommended a multipurpose National Identity Card.

Government announced in its National Common Minimum Programme that for sharp targeting of Government subsidies, a detailed roadmap would be unveiled.

In March 2006, the Government unveiled a plan for a “unique ID” (UID) for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, to be implemented by the Ministry of Information Technology.

UIDAI was notified on January 22, 2009, in June, Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, was appointed its first Chairman. The first 12-digit Aadhaar number was issued on September 29, 2010.

Finally, the Government passed a law in 2016, giving Aadhaar a legislative sanction.



Concern regarding the usage of Aadhaar:

When Aadhaar was seeded into every database, it becomes a bridge across discrete data silos, which allowed anyone with access to this information to re-construct a profile of an individual’s life.

The Judgement panel ruled the programme had merits, but struck down provisions in the act that made its use mandatory in applications for services ranging from bank accounts to mobile telephone connections and school admissions.

The court also ruled unconstitutional the use of Aadhaar by companies to establish an individual’s identity.

Supreme Court Judge pointed out that “Neither the Central government nor UIDAI have the source code for the deduplication technology which is at the heart of the programme. The source code belongs to a foreign corporation. UIDAI is merely a licensee”.



Sections of the Aadhaar Act that the Supreme Court struck down: (Sections 33(1), 33(2), 47, 57):

Section 33(1) which allows disclosure of information, including identity and authentication records, if ordered by a court not inferior to that of a District Judge. Individuals should be given the opportunity of a hearing.



Section 33(2) which allowed identity and authentication data to be disclosed in the interest of national security on direction of an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India.

A Judicial Officer (preferably a sitting High Court Judge) should be associated with it and that the government should bring in legislation to this effect.



Section 47 which referred to cognizance of offences. Under this Section, no individual was allowed to file a complaint if he/she felt their data was leaked or misused.

The law only allowed the court to take cognizance of a complaint filed by UIDAI or anyone authorised by it.

Any individual will now be allowed to file a complaint if he/she feels their data has been compromised.



Section 57 refers to the use of Aadhaar data by any “body corporate or person” to establish the identity of an individual. It gives statutory support to mobile companies, private service providers to seek individuals’ Aadhaars for identification purposes.

Justice Sikri, in his judgment, found this section to be unconstitutional. It was under this provision that private companies like Paytm and Airtel Payments Banksought Aadhaar details from customers.



Supreme Court: Majority Judgement Conclusions:

Supreme Court felt that the technology has become a vital tool for ensuring good governance in a welfare state.

Schemes such as PDS, scholarships, Mid-day Meals and LPG subsidies involve huge amount of money and Aadhaar helped welfare reach of the poor as a fool-proof mechanism.

Aadhaar upholds Aadhaar as a reasonable restriction on privacy. It fulfils Government’s aim to provide dignity to the marginalised.

Aadhaar unique ID cannot be duplicated, whereas, PAN, Ration Card can be duplicated. It upheld the passage of the Aadhaar Act as a Money Bill.

The authentication records should not be retained for more than 6 months. Archiving of records for five years is bad in law.

SC struck down Section 33 (2), which allowed the disclosure of Aadhaar information for national security reasons on the orders of an officer not below a Joint Secretary level.



Conclusion:

Efficiency in governance could not steamroll fundamental freedoms.

If so, there was a danger of a society crossing the line which divided democracy from authoritarian cultures.

However, the other side of argument that, it does not violate the Right to Privacy of the citizens, instead it empowers marginalized sections and procures dignity for them along with services, benefits and subsidies by leveraging the power of technology.

The Supreme Court restored the original intent of the Programme to plug leakages in subsidy schemes and to have better targeting of welfare benefits.

The judgment narrows the scope of Aadhaar, but provides a framework within which it can work.

The majority judgment also says Aadhaar Act passes the “triple test” laid down by the ‘Privacy’ judgment,under which there ought to be a law, a legitimate state interest and an element of proportionality in any law that seeks to abridge the Right to Privacy.

27/09/2018

Insights into Editorial: The primary anchor of a health-care road map

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the Centre’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyaan, also known as Ayushman Bharat or the National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM).

This is the world’s largest health scheme which will serve a population that equals 27-28 European countries. The beneficiaries are almost equal to the population of Canada, Mexico and US put together.

The Prime Minister also launched a toll free number 14555 for people to get more information about Ayushma Bharat scheme.



Achieving Universal Health Coverage:

Universal health coverage is getting prioritised as a part of political reform with the launch of two pillars of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY):

Ayushman Bharat (AB), where 1.5 lakh health sub-centres are being converted into health and wellness centres.

The National Health Protection Mission (NHPM), which aims to provide health cover of ₹5 lakh per family, per annum, reaching out to 500 million people.



Align Health entitlement to Income lines: Health Premium subsidy in line with housing categories:

This 2003 solution of the Vajpayee-era recommended, inter alia, that good governance lies in aligning the income lines for health and housing.

In other words, de-link entitlement to health care from the poverty line.

In that event, the income lines for housing could be simultaneously applicable for health entitlement. The PMJAY would help improve availability, accessibility, and affordability for the needy 40% of the population.

The government could then proceed, to scale the health premium subsidy in line with housing categories — economically weaker sections (entitled to 75-90%), lower income (entitled to 50%), and middle income groups (entitled to 20%).



Build in accountability for Cost and Quality:

The NHPM is pushing for hospitalisation at secondary- and tertiary-level private hospitals, while disregarding the need for eligible households to first access primary care, prior to becoming ‘a case for acute care’.

Without the stepping stone of primary health care, direct hospitalisation is a high-cost solution. Forward movement is feasible only through partnerships and coalitions with private sector providers.

These partnerships are credible only if made accountable. The National Health Policy 2017proposed “strategic purchasing” of services from secondary and tertiary hospitals for a fee.

Upgrading district hospitals to government medical colleges and teaching hospitals will enhance capacities at the district level.

Service providers will become accountable for cost and quality if they are bound to the nuts and bolts of good governance outlined above.



Transform primary care to avoid Catastrophic Health Expenditures:

Third, elimination of catastrophic health expenditures for the consumer can come about only if there is sustained effort to modernise and transform the primary care space.

Bring together all relevant inter-sectoral action linking health and development so as to universalise the availability of clean drinking water, sanitation, garbage disposal, waste management, food security, nutrition and vector control. The Swachh Bharat programme must be incorporated in the PMJAY.

These steps put together will reduce the disease burden.



For Instance, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have demonstrated that high-performing, primary health-care systems do address a majority of community/individual health needs.

The health and wellness clinics must connect with early detection and treatment.

Robust delivery of preventive, clinical and diagnostic health-care services will result in early detection of cancers, diabetes and chronic conditions, mostly needing long-term treatment and home care.

Investment in primary care would very quickly reduce the overall cost of health care for the state and for the consumer.



Conclusion:

At the 1.5 lakh ‘health and wellness clinics’, register households to provide them access to district-specific, evidence-based, integrated packages of community, primary preventive and promotive health care.



The “best health care at the lowest possible cost”should be:

Inclusive by covering various sections of population;

Make health-care providers accountable for cost and quality;

Achieve a reduction in disease burden, and

Eliminate catastrophic health expenditures for the consumer.

In addition to above, it should be accompanied by the nuts and bolts of good governance that will support solutions and systems to achieve these objectives.

Technology and innovation are further reducing costs. AI-powered mobile applications will soon provide high-quality, low-cost, patient-centric, smart wellness solutions.

The scaleable and inter-operable IT platform being readied for the Ayushman Bharat is encouraging.



Way Forward:

Though the scheme looks optimistic, healthcare experts indicate that nationally mandating a health insurance system needs to improve the quality of government infrastructure pan India and offer better opportunities for the private sector at a right price.

The central government is trying to align with state governments and woo private players.

The PMJAY is trying to create a major shift in reshaping the horizon of public healthcare space, but the proof of its success lies in its implementation.

As we integrate prevention, detection and treatment of ill-health, the PMJAY will win hearts if people receive a well-governed ‘Health for All’ scheme.

27/09/2018

Insights into Editorial: A change in the Maldives

Voters in the Maldives delivered a stunning defeat for President Abdulla Yameen in a contentiouspresidential election, an outcome regarded as a victory for democracy over authoritarianism in the Indian Ocean island nation.

The people of the small archipelago in the Indian Ocean voted for change and brought to power the Opposition candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. They came out in huge numbers with the turnout being 89.2%.



Importance of Maldives:

The Maldives, long a popular tourist destination, has grown in strategic importance in recent years as China and India to establish their influence in the region, and as Beijing pushes ahead with its global trade and infrastructure plan.

Spread over nearly 1,200 islands spanning more than 90,000 sq km, key shipping lanes where Beijing and New Delhi compete to pursue their often-conflicting maritime strategies pass through this tiny Indian Ocean nation.

Though small, the Maldives is India’s important neighbour. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Maldives “a valued partner in the Indian Ocean neighbourhood”.

India-Maldives “ties are built on a very strong foundation” the contours of which are defined by shared strategic, security, economic and developmental goals.

However, the bilateral ties are not without irritants, which can be seen in two broad areas: political and strategic.



How is China engaging with the Maldives?

Beijing has made large investments in infrastructure projects in the Maldives during Yameen’s time in office.

They include a US$830 million investment to upgrade the Maldives airport and build a 2km bridge to link the airport island with the capital Male, according to the Centre for Global Development.

Chinese are also building a 25-storey apartment complex and hospital in the Maldives.

Meanwhile, some 306,000 Chinese tourists visited the Maldives last year accounting for 21 per cent of the country’s total number of visitors. When three Chinese naval ships docked in Male in August last year, it only amplified India’s concerns.



Tilt towards China:

Mr.Yameen’s China visit last year, the two nations signed 12 pacts, including a free trade agreement (FTA).

Mr. Yameen not only fully endorsed China’s ambitious Maritime Silk Road initiative but also made the Maldives the second country in South Asia, after Pakistan, to enter into an FTA with China.

The Yameen government pushed the FTA through the nation’s Parliament, the Majlis, stealthily, with the opposition not attending the parliamentary session.



Chinese Investments: Massive Debt trap, according to opposition:

The opposition accused the Yameen government of allowing a Chinese ‘land grab’ of Maldivian islands, key infrastructure, and even essential utilities, which “not only undermines the independence of the Maldives, but the security of the entire Indian Ocean region.

The massive infrastructure growth funded by Chinese debt was a key part of Mr. Yameen’s election campaign but the massive debt trap made it a difficult proposition to be accepted.



How have the Maldives ties with India fared under Yameen?

Bilateral ties between India and the Maldives have deteriorated during Yameen’s time in power.

In March 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his state visit to the island nation over the treatment of Mohamed Nasheed, the former pro-India Maldivian president who had been jailed.

The Maldives also declined India’s invitation to take part in its biennial eight-day naval exercise, Milan, this year.

Yameen’s government has also rejected visa renewals for Indians who were legally working in the Maldives, without giving any explanation.



Concern areas that need to be improved between India and Maldives –

No FTA with India: Maldives and India do not have a Free Trade Agreement. However Maldives and China entered into Free Trade Agreement.

Maldives growing “closeness” with China: Both China and Pakistan stepping up their strategic inroads into the Maldives

Religious radicalization: The Maldives is being radicalized by the Saudi funds and influence



ISIS threat: Growing Islamic radicalisation in the tiny island-nation of about four lakh people once known for its tolerant practices has many foreign governments, including India, deeply concerned.

Yameen government had asked India to remove its Dhruv advanced light helicopters from Maldives(which India had gifted in 2013).

Yameen government has alleged that tensions over the presence of the two Indian helicopters in two strategically important locations in the Laamu and Addu atolls have been growing.

Work permits are not currently being issued to Indian Nationals.

By changing to more democratic form of governmentin Maldives, India can engage with Maldives to establish much more friendly relations than previous government era to protect the safety and security of entire Indian Ocean region.

Notice the picture for more points in importance of Maldives for India.



Way Forward:

Many of the challenges the Maldives faces linger. The opposition may have been united in its desire to oust Mr. Yameen but this unity will be tested in governance.

Democratic institutions have been weakened and a fragile democracy can also be susceptible to radical ideologies if not effectively governed. Its economic presence in the Maldives is a reality that all governments will have to contend with.

Mr. Yameen’s defeat has certainly produced a favourable outcome for New Delhi and it should seize the moment to rebuild ties with Male.

If there is one lesson out of the Maldives crisis, it is that political elites in India’s neighbours will come and go.

But if India can stand together with the aspirations of citizens of neighbouring countries, then the prospects of a long-term sustainable relationship will be much brighter.

23/09/2018

Mains Paper(3)

THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS AND ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME ACT 2017..WAS BORN OUT OF AN URGENT NEED TO PREVENT AND CONTROL THE VIRUS AND SYNDROME..DISCUSS..

A) AIDS is a chronic disease, it is potentially life-threatening condition caused by the HIV. By damaging the immune system, HIV interferes with the body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. HIV is a sexualy transmitted infection.
In India NACO (national Aids control organization) is the apex body under Ministry of Health and Family welfare to oversee the issues of HIV-AIDS.
Important provisions of the Act:

1) The Act puts confidentiality with regard to the treatment..
2) The Act provides for diagnosis and compulsory treatment of the infected persons..
3) The Act provides prohibition of discrimination against HIV+ person in matters of a) employment,b) education, c) health services..
4) The Act provides for persons below the age of 18 years has the right to reside in a shared household and enjoy the facilities of family..
5) An ombudsman shall be appointed by each state government to inquire into complaints related to violation of the Act..

Current programmes:

1) National strategic plan (2017-24), aimed at eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030.
2) Target of 90:90:90 strategy.(90%-diagnosed, 90%-treatment, 90%-suppressed)..
3) Mission Sampark – to trace those who are left to follow – up and are to be brought under ART (anti-retroviral therapy) service..

22/09/2018

Mains paper(2)

Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna:

Context: The Employee’s State Insurance (ESI) has approved a scheme named ‘Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna’ for Insured Persons (IP) covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.

Aim: It aims to financially support those who lost their jobs or rendered jobless for whatsoever reasons due to changing employment pattern.

Its beneficiaries will be insured persons covered under Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 for period of two years continuously.

21/09/2018

Mains Paper(1)
# Indian culture

Nuakhai Festival:

1) The festival of Nuakhai is celebrated in Odisha.
2) During this harvest festival of western Odisha, new produce Nabannis offered to presiding deities.
3) After offering the Nabann, people relish different types of delicacies prepared from the newly harvested crop.
4) The Nuakhai Juhar is a major ritual of the festival, during which greetings are exchanged with friends, relatives and well-wishers.