3 September 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill is knotty

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

Topic: GS3 – Environment – Disaster and disaster management

Context

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by the central government, aims to address climate-induced disasters but centralises authority, complicating disaster responses. The bill excludes heat waves from disaster classification, and raises concerns about financial devolution and Centre-State power dynamics.

Introduction to the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• On August 1, 2024, the central government introduced the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, primarily aimed at addressing climate-induced disasters.
• The Bill has sparked concerns regarding further centralization, despite the already centralised nature of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Existing Structure of the Disaster Management Act, 2005

• The Act mandates the creation of various authorities at national, State, and district levels to manage disasters.
• The proposed Bill complicates the disaster management framework by giving statutory status to pre-act organisations like the National Crisis Management Committee, leading to delays in disaster response.
• The Bill continues to adopt a top-down approach, which has often led to delays in disaster responses, conflicting with the Act’s intended purpose of swift action.

Claims of Strengthening Disaster Management

• The Bill claims to strengthen the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities.
• It introduces an Urban Disaster Management Authority for State capitals and cities with municipal corporations.
• However, the absence of financial devolution undermines the intended decentralisation of disaster management functions.

Concerns Regarding Centralisation

• The Bill dilutes the wording of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), removing specific purposes for which the fund should be used.
• The centralization of decision-making on disaster funds is a major issue, especially during severe disasters.
• Past instances, such as the delayed response to Tamil Nadu’s request for NDRF relief, highlight the inefficiencies of centralised decision-making.

Need to Rethink Disaster Definitions Amidst Climate Change

• The current approach of the Disaster Management Act is insufficient to address the looming climate crisis, particularly due to its restricted definition of disasters.

Restricted Definition of Disaster

On July 25, 2024, the government stated that heatwaves would not be classified as a notified disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The notified list of disasters includes traditional natural disasters like cyclones, earthquakes, and floods but excludes climate-induced disasters like heatwaves. This stands in contrast to global consensus, where heatwaves are recognized as climate-related disasters.

Heatwaves as a Climate-Induced Disaster

• India is experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves, with 536 heatwave days recorded in 2022—the highest in 14 years.
• The impacts of heatwaves on ecosystems and human health are akin to other natural disasters, with over 10,635 deaths due to heat or sunstroke from 2013 to 2022.

Inadequate Response to Climate-Induced Disasters

• The Disaster Management Act’s restrictive definition limits its ability to respond effectively to regional climate-induced disasters like heatwaves.
• The static nature of the disaster classification under the Act fails to recognize the evolving nature of climate change.

Challenges with the Proposed Bill

• The Bill does little to address the power imbalances between the central and State governments.
• States still largely depend on the central government for disaster relief funds, which can delay necessary responses.
• The proposed Bill does not sufficiently learn from the failures of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Financial Preparedness for Disasters

• Financial preparedness remains a critical issue, as States are left dependent on the Centre for disaster funds.
• A cooperative federalism approach is essential to improve disaster response rather than engaging in blame games between the Centre and States.

Conclusion

• The proposed Bill, while claiming to improve the Disaster Management Act, 2005, falls short in addressing contemporary challenges, particularly the need for a more flexible definition of disasters and enhanced financial autonomy for States in disaster response.

Practice Question:  Discuss the implications of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on federalism and decentralised disaster response in India, with a focus on climate-induced disasters like heatwaves. (250 Words /15 marks)

2. Limited access to mental healthcare despite rising demand

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Context

The demand for mental healthcare in India is rising, yet the country faces a significant shortage of mental health professionals. Despite increased awareness and reduced stigma, the number of psychiatrists remains far below the World Health Organization’s guidelines, necessitating urgent policy intervention and investment in the mental health sector.

Rising Demand for Mental Healthcare in India

• The demand for mental healthcare in India has been increasing due to shifting societal attitudes toward mental health.
• Despite this, there is no significant rise in the number of mental health professionals to meet the growing demand.

Psychiatrist Shortage in India

• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum of three practising psychiatrists per one lakh population.
• According to the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) conducted between 2015 and 2016, India has only 0.75 psychiatrists per one lakh population, far below the WHO guideline.

Report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee

• In 2023, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare highlighted the shortage of mental health professionals in its report, ‘Mental Healthcare and Its Management in Contemporary Times.’
• The report noted that India had 9,000 working psychiatrists, while it needs 36,000 to meet the WHO-recommended target of three psychiatrists per one lakh population.
• Achieving this target earlier would require policy interventions and incentives to increase the supply of mental health professionals.

Comparison with Other Countries

• India’s psychiatrist-to-population ratio of 0.75 per one lakh is poor compared to other countries.
• Among BRICS nations, India is one of the lowest performers, along with Ethiopia, which has 0.1 psychiatrists per one lakh population.
• However, India fares better within South Asia, surpassing several neighbouring countries.

State-wise Distribution of Psychiatrists

• Of the 12 States surveyed in the NMHS, Kerala employed the highest number of psychiatrists, with more than one psychiatrist per one lakh population.
• Manipur and West Bengal ranked second and third, respectively, with 0.5 psychiatrists per one lakh people.
• States like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, particularly in north and central India, ranked the lowest.

Increasing Awareness and Decreasing Stigma

• Despite the stagnant accessibility to mental healthcare services, there is a notable increase in awareness and a reduction in the stigma surrounding mental health in India.
• A study by the LiveLoveLaugh Foundation, ‘How India Perceives Mental Health 2021,’ showed a significant improvement in attitudes toward mental health between 2018 and 2021.
• Awareness about mental health increased, with 96% of respondents being aware of mental health issues in 2021, compared to 87% in 2018.

Conclusion

• While awareness and attitudes toward mental health have improved in India, the shortage of mental health professionals remains a major barrier to adequate care.
• To bridge this gap, India must invest in training and policy interventions to increase the supply of mental health professionals and address this growing demand.

Practice Question:  Discuss the challenges posed by the shortage of mental health professionals in India and suggest policy measures to address the gap in meeting the growing demand for mental healthcare services. (150 Words /10 marks)

3. Dealings at a China-Africa forum that India must track

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

Topic: GS2 – International relations

Context

The ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024 highlights Africa’s strategic priorities amidst economic and geopolitical challenges. The forum underscores the need for African nations to assert greater control over negotiations with China. India’s engagement in Africa could benefit from observing and adapting strategies used in FOCAC.

Introduction to FOCAC 2024

• The ninth edition of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will take place in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024.
• African nations are grappling with multiple issues, including high inflation, currency depreciation, heavy debt, unconstitutional military takeovers, geopolitical challenges, and security threats from groups like Houthi rebels.

Economic Priorities at FOCAC 2024

• Progress on China’s goal of importing $300 billion worth of goods from Africa by 2024 has been modest, with $167 billion in trade between January and July 2024. This trade is dominated by raw materials.
• Agriculture remains a key sector where African nations could benefit from partnerships with countries like China and India to develop climate-resilient crops and improve local processing.
• Industrial development, including refining and processing raw materials, is hindered by electricity shortages and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.

China’s Role in African Debt and Lessons for India

• China has provided around $170 billion in loans to Africa between 2000-2022, but it accounts for only 12% of Africa’s public and private debt.
• Concerns over transparency in Chinese loans persist, with studies showing half of Chinese loans in Sub-Saharan Africa are not disclosed in sovereign debt records.

Recommendations for India’s Engagement in Africa

1. Continuity in Engagement: India should hold the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) soon, following the momentum from the inclusion of the African Union in the G-20. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the AU’s headquarters, can host the summit.
2. Industrialisation and Value Addition: India must support African economies by promoting higher-value investments in sectors like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Investments in farm mechanisation, food processing, and cold storage infrastructure are essential.
3. Innovative Financing: India must explore innovative financing options like public-private partnerships and blended finance to overcome African reluctance for new loans. Indian firms need government support for feasibility studies and projects in Africa.

Technology and Digital Connectivity

• India’s digital solutions (such as UPI and Jan Dhan technology) could enhance African digital infrastructure. UPI is already operational in Mauritius, and several African nations have shown interest in adopting it.
• Rupee-based lines of credit should replace dollar-based ones to reduce forex risks and improve Indian-African banking relations.

Conclusion

• African countries are taking greater ownership of their strategies, and this shift offers valuable lessons for India’s engagement in Africa.
• By observing Africa’s engagement with China through FOCAC, India can further enhance its own Africa strategy in sectors such as trade, industrialisation, and digital connectivity.

PYQ: China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2017)

Practice Question:  Discuss the implications of China’s growing influence in Africa for India-Africa relations. How can India strategically enhance its engagement with African countries to effectively counterbalance China’s presence? (150 Words /10 marks)