28 March 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

Topic: GS2 – Governance – Government policies – Interventions for development in various sectors

This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as this analysis sheds light on the political-economic considerations driving the expansion of social protection initiatives.

• The concept of social security as a human right is enshrined in international agreements like the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and reinforced by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
• Despite global advocacy, India historically spent inadequately on social protection, leaving its vast informal workforce vulnerable.
• However, recent years have witnessed a slow but noticeable expansion of social protection initiatives across states, driven mainly by political and economic motives.

• The Code on Social Security, 2020: This is a comprehensive law that consolidates and simplifies nine previous laws related to social security. It covers employees in both the organized and unorganized sectors, and provides for retirement pension, provident fund, life and disability insurance, healthcare and unemployment benefits, sick pay and leaves, and paid parental leaves.
• The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO): This is a statutory body that administers the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, the Employees’ Pension Scheme, and the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme. These schemes provide retirement pension, provident fund, and life and disability insurance to employees in the organized sector.
• The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI): This is a self-financing social security scheme that provides medical care and cash benefits to employees in case of sickness, maternity, disability, and unemployment. It covers employees in the organized sector who earn less than a certain threshold.
• The National Pension System (NPS): This is a voluntary, defined contribution pension scheme that allows individuals to save for their retirement. It is open to all citizens of India, including those working in the unorganized sector. It offers multiple investment options and tax benefits.
• The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP): The NSAP is a social security and welfare programme that provides support to aged persons, widows, disabled persons and bereaved families on death of the primary breadwinner, belonging to below poverty line households.

PYQ: Regarding ‘Atal Pension Yojana’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)

1) It is a minimum guaranteed pension scheme mainly targeted at unorganized sector workers.

2) Only one member of a family can join the scheme.

3) Same amount of pension is guaranteed for the spouse for life after subscriber’s death.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Topic: GS1 – Society – Urbanization, their problems and their remedies

GS3 – Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation

This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of understanding the challenges related to water management and sustainability.

• The city of Bengaluru is currently facing its worst water crisis in decades, exacerbated by factors such as a weak monsoon and unregulated urban growth.
• Similar challenges have been observed in Chennai and several other Indian cities, indicating a broader issue of water supply management in urban planning.

Reduced Rainfall and Empty Water Reservoirs:

• The city has witnessed insufficient rainfall in the past couple of monsoons. This has significantly impacted the Cauvery River, a primary source of water for the city. Lower river levels mean less water for drinking and agriculture.
• Karnataka received a 38% deficit in north-east Monsoon showers from October to December. The State received a 25% deficit in southwest monsoon rain from June to September.
• As per information from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC), the water levels in Cauvery Basin reservoirs like Harangi, Hemavathi, and Kabini are at 39% of their total capacity as of 2024.
• Depletion of Groundwater Sources:
• Bengaluru’s explosive growth has resulted in the concretisation of natural landscapes that used to absorb rainwater. This reduces groundwater recharge and increases surface runoff, leading to less water percolation.
• Residents rely on borewells to supplement the water supply. However, with falling rain and excessive extraction, groundwater levels are rapidly declining, causing many borewells to dry up.
• Inadequate Infrastructure:
• The city’s infrastructure, including water supply systems and sewage networks, has not kept pace with its rapid growth. This inadequacy exacerbates the challenges of distributing water efficiently to meet the demands of the expanding population.
• The anticipated completion of Phase-5 of the Cauvery project, designed to provide 110 litres of drinking water daily to 12 lakh people, is expected by May 2024.
• Climate Change:
• Changing weather patterns, including erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts, attributed to climate change, have reduced the availability of water in Bengaluru’s reservoirs and natural water bodies.
• The Indian Meteorological Department attributes the region’s poor rainfall to the El Niño phenomenon.
• Pollution of Water Bodies:
• Pollution from industrial discharge, untreated sewage, and solid waste dumping has contaminated water sources, rendering them unfit for consumption and further reducing the available water supply.
• A study conducted by the Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) states that about 85% of Bengaluru’s water bodies are polluted by industrial effluents, sewage, and solid waste dumping.
• Mismanagement and Inequitable Distribution:
• Inefficient water management practices, including wastage, leakage, and unequal distribution of water resources, contribute to the severity of the water scarcity crisis, with some areas receiving inadequate or irregular water supply.
• Legal and Political Challenges:
• Disputes over water sharing between Karnataka and neighbouring states, particularly with regard to rivers like the Cauvery, further complicate efforts to manage and secure water resources for Bengaluru’s residents.
• There is an ongoing tussle between the central and state governments concerning the distribution and allocation of funds aimed at addressing the drought situation in Karnataka.