3 December 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Citizens with disabilities, making their rights real

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable Sections

Context

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, aims to promote a human rights-based approach to disability inclusion in India. Despite progressive provisions like quasi-judicial State Commissioners, implementation gaps persist due to delayed appointments and lack of independent oversight. States like Karnataka showcase effective practices to ensure disability-inclusive governance.

Prevalence of Disability in India

• According to the 2011 Census, persons with disabilities constitute 2.21% of the total population, a figure widely considered to be underestimated.
• The 2019 Brief Disability Model Survey by the WHO reported the prevalence of severe disability among Indian adults at 16%.
• India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, necessitating alignment of national laws with the Convention.
• In response, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD Act) replaced the 1995 Act to incorporate a human rights-based model.

Role of the State Commissioner under the RPWD Act

• The RPWD Act mandates the establishment of State Commissioners for Disabilities to ensure effective law implementation through review, monitoring, and quasi-judicial functions.
• As per Section 82, State Commissioners have powers equivalent to civil courts and their proceedings qualify as judicial under Sections 193 and 228 of the IPC.
• Despite their broad powers, many State Commissioners fail to meet expectations due to the lack of state government support and delays in appointments, as highlighted in Seema Girija Lal vs. Union of India (2021).

Challenges in Appointment

• The RPWD Rules allow appointments of individuals with experience in law, human rights, education, or social work.
• However, most commissioners are civil servants, compromising the independence required to hold governments accountable.
• Only 8 States have appointed non-civil service commissioners as of 2021-22.
• Civil society representatives, especially qualified women with disabilities, should be considered for these roles to address intersectional discrimination.

Functions and Limitations of State Commissioners

• State Commissioners can initiate suo motu inquiries into policies and practices violating the RPWD Act and recommend corrective measures.
• However, limited proactive action and failure to address discriminatory practices erode public trust in these offices.
• Engagement with persons with disabilities and representative organizations is crucial for identifying and resolving violations.

A Case study: Karnataka

Karnataka’s State Commissioner’s office has adopted innovative approaches like: Mobile adalats (courts) to resolve grievances in remote areas. Designating District Magistrates as Deputy Commissioners for disabilities to ensure local governance inclusivity. Implementing District Disability Management Reviews (DDMR) to monitor program implementation and quota fulfillment.

Need for Research and Collaboration

• State Commissioners are tasked with promoting research in disability rights.
• Collaborations with UN entities could foster research on issues like disability-inclusive social protection and climate change impacts.
• Such findings could inform more inclusive policies and strengthen disability rights in India.

Practice Question:  Critically examine the role of State Commissioners under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, in ensuring disability rights in India. Highlight the challenges and suggest measures for strengthening their effectiveness. (250 Words /15 marks)

2. Frontline nutrition workers foster disability inclusion

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Vulnerable Sections

Context

The article emphasizes the crucial connection between nutrition and disability, highlighting how malnutrition exacerbates disability rates. It discusses India’s efforts, including the Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children and Haryana’s initiatives for disability inclusion. The focus is on integrated interventions, awareness, and support services to improve health and inclusion for persons with disabilities.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

• December 3 is observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, aimed at raising awareness and advocating the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
• This day highlights the challenges faced by one of the world’s most marginalized communities.

Link Between Nutrition, Health, and Disability

• Studies underscore a strong correlation between nutrition and disability, with countries experiencing high malnutrition rates often showing increased disability prevalence.
• Malnutrition adversely affects immune systems, physical development, and chronic health conditions, contributing to disabilities.
• Addressing malnutrition is critical for improving public health, enhancing quality of life, and reducing disability rates.
• Maternal malnutrition can lead to prenatal disabilities, while vitamin deficiencies (e.g., Vitamin A) can result in conditions such as blindness.
• Disabilities like cerebral palsy and Down syndrome increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, emphasizing the need for accessible nutrition services and benefits.

‘Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children’

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced the protocol in 2023 as a national guideline for Anganwadi workers regarding disability inclusion.
• Anganwadi workers act as community nutrition providers and are pivotal to India’s development programmes like POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• The protocol includes early identification of disabilities, monitoring developmental milestones via POSHAN Tracker, and referral services in collaboration with ASHA workers.

Recommendations for Early Intervention

• Early intervention, medical therapy, and support services are essential for aiding children with disabilities.
• Initiatives should include:
  • Trained specialist therapists for different disabilities.
  • Accessible schools and transportation.
  • Affordable assistive devices.
  • Tailored nutritional well-being practices supported by effective information-communication systems.

Responsibility for Inclusion

• Ensuring food security and nutrition for persons with disabilities, especially children, is vital for their rights, well-being, and equal opportunity.
• Community participation, along with frontline workers, can help combat disability stigma and support inclusive development efforts.

Conclusion

• Addressing malnutrition is vital to reducing disability rates and improving quality of life for vulnerable populations.
• Collaborative efforts, such as inclusive policies, awareness campaigns, and accessible services, are essential to ensuring holistic development and equality for persons with disabilities.

Practice Question:  Discuss the relationship between malnutrition and disability in India. Evaluate the role of initiatives like the Anganwadi Protocol for Divyang Children in addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. (150 Words /10 marks)

3. New crimes, old tools: On holding cyber fraudsters accountable

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS3 – Internal Security –  Cyber Security

Context

India faces a growing cybercrime threat, including digital frauds and non-consensual deepfakes, exploiting telecom vulnerabilities and underprepared law enforcement. Prime Minister has highlighted the need for robust prosecutions, public awareness, and preventive measures to combat these crimes.

Increasing Threat of Cybercrime

• Nature of Cybercrime: Cybercrime in India is evolving with the rise of digital frauds and non-consensual intimate deepfakes. These crimes go beyond traditional theft, involving sophisticated techniques and tools.
• Criminal Networks: Organized fraudsters exploit vulnerabilities in telecom infrastructure, employing innovative methods to stay ahead of underprepared law enforcement.
• Local Collusion: Fraudsters often maintain strong ties with local police in key hotspots, enabling them to operate with impunity.
• Evolving Fraud Tactics: Cybercriminals constantly innovate, adopting new personas to deceive victims.

Consequences of Cybercrime

• Financial Impact: Thousands of citizens risk losing their life savings to deceptive phone calls and messages from cyber fraudsters.
• Psychological Harm: Non-consensual intimate deepfakes, powered by AI technology, cause immense emotional and reputational damage to victims.
• Balancing Digital Growth and Security: As India moves towards universal banking and expanded digital services, ensuring these do not become vulnerabilities is critical.

Government’s Call to Action

• Prime Minister’s Address: Recognizing the urgency, PM Modi has emphasized the need to combat cybercrime through enhanced law enforcement measures.

Need for Aggressive Prosecution

• Importance of Accountability: Prosecutions should be pursued with integrity, transparency, and wide publicity to establish cybercrime as a serious offense.
• Deterrence Through Convictions: Successful convictions would send a strong message, dissuading individuals from viewing cyber fraud as a low-risk crime.

Tools to Combat Cybercrime

• Combating Deepfakes: Though non-consensual deepfake imagery is a new threat, familiar tools like awareness and preventive measures remain effective.
• Public Vigilance: Creative and consistent awareness campaigns can prevent individuals from falling prey to scams by fostering a healthy skepticism.

Conclusion

• Cybercrime presents significant challenges to individuals and institutions alike.
• Combating it requires a multi-pronged approach involving stringent law enforcement, public awareness, and robust digital security measures to ensure a safer digital ecosystem for all.

PYQ: What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (250 Words /15 marks)(UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2022)

Practice Question:  Discuss the rising challenges of cybercrime in India, particularly focusing on digital frauds and non-consensual deepfakes. Analyze the role of public awareness, law enforcement, and digital security in addressing these threats effectively. (250 Words /15 marks)