15th September 2024

Topic: NITI Aayog calls for Public Health Emergency Law

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Government Policy

Source: Swarajya

Context

With a focus on public health emergencies or pandemics, the NITI Aayog recently released an Expert Group report titled “Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response —A Framework for Action.”

Background

The Preparedness Blueprint

• COVID-19 wouldn’t be the last pandemic we face, according to the expert group behind “Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response (PPER) — A Framework for Action.”
• It is necessary to be prepared for emerging infectious threats due to the constantly shifting planetary dynamics, which include the ecology, climate, and interactions between humans, animals, and plants.
• Indeed, according to a warning from the World Health Organization (WHO), zoonotic diseases will likely account for 75% of future threats to public health.

Principal Goals of the Report:

• NITI Aayog established an Expert Group with the specific goal of developing a strong framework for upcoming pandemics.
• Their assignment was to look into the national and international management of COVID-19, draw lessons from the successes and failures, and pinpoint critical gaps to improve our preparedness for any health emergency.

Important Advice (the Four Pillars of Preparedness)

• Finance, Management, Governance, and Law: It is imperative to have efficient legal frameworks, financial mechanisms, governance structures, and management approaches.
• Data management, surveillance, early predictive warning, forecasting, and modeling: Early outbreak detection is made possible by timely data collection, surveillance systems, and predictive models. Making decisions quickly requires this information.
• Innovation and research, manufacturing, infrastructure, and capacity building/skilling: It is critical to make investments in innovation and domestic manufacturing capabilities. We must move quickly to create vaccines, therapies, and diagnostic instruments.

A 100-Day Plan of Action

• The significance of the first 100 days of an outbreak is emphasized in the report. It is imperative to be prepared with countermeasures and strategies during this window.
• The report offers a thorough preparation road map that covers effective tracking, testing, treating, and managing of outbreaks.
  
  

India’s Attempts and Acquired Knowledge

In reaction to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, India launched a number of significant initiatives, including:

• Innovative Countermeasures: Financial support for researchers and industry, pooled resources, and policy directives.
• Digital Tools: Vaccination data management and pandemic response tool investments.
• International Cooperation: Alliances with other nations and institutions.

Conclusion

• “Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response (PPER) — A Framework for Action” acts as a guide—a road map to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead in a world where pandemics are no longer uncommon occurrences.
• It serves as a reminder that being prepared involves proactive planning, teamwork, and resilience in addition to simply reacting.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2053759

Mains Model Questions

Q. The Covid-19 pandemic’s existing data makes it abundantly evident that public health system neglect can result in significant, preventable deaths. Discuss about the problems with the public health systems.

Introduction:

For the people of India, having working public health systems literally means the difference between life and death.
Strong government health services translate into earlier case detection, timely testing, more efficient outreach, and more sane treatment for Covid patients. By contrasting the two States of Maharashtra and Kerala, this is made clear.

Body:

Problems With the Present Healthcare System

• Absence of Primary Healthcare Services: The nation’s current public primary healthcare model has a narrow scope.
• Even in places with public primary health centers that run smoothly, limited services are available for pregnancy care, limited childcare and certain services related to national health programmes are provided.
• Supply-Side Deficiencies: The provision of the intended level of quality health services is hampered by health workers’ inadequate health management abilities, inadequate training, and unsupportive supervision.
• Inadequate Funding: India’s public health spending has routinely been meager, accounting for only 1.3% of GDP. India’s total out-of-pocket spending is estimated by the OECD to be 2.3% of GDP.
  A public health system that is not ideal: As a result, managing non-communicable diseases—which primarily revolve around early detection and prevention—is difficult.
  
  

Actions to strengthen the healthcare system

• Focus on Public Health: The National Health Mission (NHM) is in need of a larger program that needs to be addressed immediately; since 2017–18, real Union government funding for the NHM have decreased, leaving States with insufficient support for essential operations like immunisation, while systemic gaps affect the delivery of Covid-19 vaccination.
• Regulation of the Private Sector: Enforcing regulations over rates and standards of care in the private sector is another obvious priority that has been brought to light during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• NITI Ayog Recommendations: According to the NITI Ayog report, “the expansion of private players to Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations, beyond metropolitan cities, offers an attractive investment opportunity” in the hospital segment.
• Production of equipment and medical devices, growth
  Decentralization: WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) needs to be integrated into the basic duties of municipalities and Panchayati raj institutions.

Conclusion:

The Covid-19 pandemic’s existing data makes it abundantly evident that public health system neglect can result in significant, preventable deaths; as a result, public health services need to be improved quickly and massively as a topmost priority.

Topic: Delay in appointment of NHRC Chairperson

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Governance

Source: The Hindu

Context

• When former Supreme Court Justice Arun Mishra retired on June 1, 2024, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was left without a full-time chairperson.
  

About the Current Leadership

• As the sole full-time member and acting chairperson, Vijayabharathi Sayani is in charge of all duties.
• There should be five other full-time members and a chairperson on the NHRC. Out of seven ex-officio members and six necessary positions, it currently only has one full-time member.

About the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• The Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, which was later amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006, gave it establishment on October 12, 1993.
• It is consistent with the 1993 UN General Assembly-endorsed Paris Principles.
• 2019 saw an amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 that opened up the NHRC’s leadership to all Supreme Court judges, not just retired Chief Justices of India.
  

Roles and Purpose

• Look into claims of carelessness or violations of human rights by public employees.
• Examine international agreements and human rights treaties.
• Provide the government with recommendations on how these treaties should be implemented.
• Raise public awareness of human rights.
• Promote human rights education on a global and national scale.

Importance

• It stands for India’s dedication to advancing and defending human rights, which are defined as rights to life, liberty, equality, and dignity that are protected by the Constitution and upholdable in Indian courts under Section 2(1)(d) of the PHRA.
• It actively participates in coordinating with other NHRIs around the globe to raise awareness from a human rights standpoint.
• Along with members of civil society, lawyers, and political and social activists from various nations, it has also welcomed delegations from UN bodies and other national human rights commissions.

Issues

• For the second year in a row, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has postponed the NHRC’s accreditation, citing inadequate representation and a lack of transparency.

• It is unable to address the growing number of human rights violations, fails to collaborate with civil society, and involves police officers in investigations resulting in “conflict(s) of interest.”
• The selection of NHRC chairpersons has been plagued by persistent delays, with notable lapses in tenure between the terms of the last four chairs.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• In India’s human rights landscape, the National Human Rights Commission of India is still an essential organization.
• Its founding was a crucial step in reaffirming India’s dedication to justice and human rights.
• Nonetheless, in order to successfully carry out its mandate, the NHRC needs to overcome current obstacles and keep changing to adapt to the ever-changing human rights landscape.
• The NHRC can better uphold its mandate to defend human rights and advance an equitable and just society in India by tackling these problems.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

https://nhrc.nic.in/about-us/composition_prev

Mains Model Questions

Q. Explain the function of India’s National Human Rights Commission. Talk about the nickname “Toothless Tiger” as well.

Introduction:

The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 established the multi-member National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a statutory body tasked with upholding the individual’s rights to equality, life, liberty, and dignity as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and enforceable in Indian courts.

Body:

The NHRC’s function was to:

• Investigating violations of human rights is the main duty of the NHRC.
• The NHRC looks into the following types of violations:
  – infringement of the rights to equality, dignity, life, and liberty.
  – breach of the international treaties that India is bound by.
  – participation in a human rights violation by a public official.
  – Incompetence of public employees in prevention Of human rights violations.
• Accordingly, the NHRC is able to visit prisons and detention facilities, suggest legislative changes, raise public awareness of human rights issues, and use the services of any investigative agency. It can also intervene in any court case involving violations of human rights.

Despite this, the NHRC has a number of shortcomings that have led the Supreme Court to refer to it as a “toothless tiger.” The following are these issues:

• The NHRC’s non-binding recommendations to the governments are recommended.
  restricted authority and jurisdiction over military personnel. Furthermore, when private parties violate human rights, the NHRC lacks the authority to take action.
• Lack of autonomy: The NHRC is devoid of its own cadre of impartial investigators.
• The number of cases pending is increasing, and the NHRC’s capacity and resources are limited, which further hinders its ability to operate.
• Because of all these reasons, it is no longer functioning effectively, as evidenced by the continued prevalence of extrajudicial killings, violence against vulnerable groups, etc.

Conclusion:

Human rights ensure that people have access to the resources they need to meet their fundamental needs, including housing, food, and education, enabling them to fully utilize all opportunities. In light of this, a functionally independent watchdog for human rights is essential in the market-oriented society of today.

Topic: Government approves fund for hydropower projects

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Infrastructure

Source: Deccan Herald

Context

The Ministry of Power’s proposal to alter the budgetary support scheme for the cost of enabling infrastructure for hydroelectric projects (HEP) has been approved by the Union Cabinet.

About

• The plan would be put into effect between FY 2024–25 and FY 2031–32.
• The Indian government has been implementing a number of policy initiatives to address the problems that hinder the development of hydropower, such as isolated locations, hilly terrain, a lack of infrastructure, etc.
• All hydropower projects with a capacity greater than 25 MW, including those in the private sector that have been allocated on an open and honest basis, will be covered by the program.
• This plan will also be relevant to all PSPs, or Pumped Storage Projects.
• Benefits:
• This updated plan would expedite the development of hydroelectric projects and enhance infrastructure in the remote and hilly project locations and would provide a large number of direct employment to the local people.

What is Hydropower?

• One of the earliest and most significant forms of renewable energy is hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power, which produces electricity by harnessing the natural flow of flowing water.
• Until the 2030s, hydropower is predicted to continue being the world’s primary renewable energy source, producing more electricity than all other renewable technologies combined.

• India: 12.5% of India’s power generation in 2022–2023 came from hydropower. In 2023, 4745.6 MW of pumped storage capacity were operational in India.

• About half of this potential is found in the hilly states of India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
• Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh are further possible states.

Hydro Power’s Significance

• Hydropower is a renewable energy source because it depends on the water cycle, which is constantly restored by snowmelt and rainfall.
• Clean Energy: Hydropower is an environmentally friendly method of producing electricity because it emits fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.
• Dependable and Predictable: Hydropower offers a steady and dependable supply of electricity, in contrast to solar and wind energy, which are sporadic and weather-dependent.
• Hydraulic power plants possess the ability to promptly modify their output in order to adapt to fluctuations in the demand for electricity.
• Long Lifespan: With appropriate maintenance, hydropower infrastructure, like dams and turbines, can have long lives that frequently surpass 50 years. This longevity guarantees a consistent and long-lasting energy source for a longer amount of time.

Challenges

• Environmental Impact: Damming rivers is a common requirement for large-scale hydropower projects, which affects local biodiversity, fish habitats, and ecosystems.
• Social Impacts: Communities are uprooted and livelihoods are disrupted when dams and reservoirs are built, particularly for those who depend on the impacted rivers for agriculture or fishing.
• High Initial Costs: Building hydroelectric facilities requires a large initial financial outlay.
• Vulnerability to Climate Change: The production of hydropower depends on steady water flow, which is impacted by changes in precipitation patterns and glacial melt brought on by climate change.
• Sedimentation: Over time, reservoirs gradually fill with sediment as a result of dams capturing sediment flowing downstream.
• Maintenance Difficulties: To ensure safe and effective operation, hydropower infrastructure needs to be maintained on a regular basis.

Way Forward

• The countries’ best course of action is to diversify their energy sources by adding other renewable technologies, like solar and wind power, to their energy mix.
• There is a lot of potential for innovations involving the placement of floating solar panels on the water’s surface in hydropower plants, as China and Brazil are currently investigating.
• By constructing more medium-sized plants instead of the massive dams of the past, the climate risks associated with an over reliance on one large piece of infrastructure could be reduced.
• This decade will likely see a slowdown in the global expansion of hydropower unless significant policy changes occur.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

https://www.business-standard.com/markets/capital-market-news/cabinet-approves-modification-of-scheme-of-budgetary-support-for-hydro-electric-projects-124091200355_1.html

Mains Model Questions

Q. Highlight how the Himalayas are affected by large-scale hydroelectric dams. Provide some alternatives as well.

Introduction:

Since hydropower uses the natural flow of water to create electricity without emitting any emissions or pollutants, it is frequently referred to as green energy. Numerous hydroelectric projects, such as the Teesta Low Dam Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim and the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, are being planned or are currently under construction in the Indian Himalaya.

Body:

Large-scale hydroelectric dam effects:

• Building a dam can alter the course of a river, changing the chemistry and temperature of the water. Additionally, it may result in sedimentation, landslides, and erosion, all of which could harm the surrounding ecosystem.
• Additionally, dams affect the local wildlife, especially if the construction of the dam results in the loss of habitat, and they disturb the migratory patterns of fish and other aquatic species.
• Large-scale hydroelectric dams uproot local communities, destroying their way of life, their cultural legacy, and the general well-being of the populace.
• The natural habitats of freshwater species in the regions where hydroelectric plants are located are changed. It modifies the nutrient concentration. Water quality is decreased when silt loads and water are lost from downstream river flow.
  
  

Hydropower substitutes:

• Micro hydroelectric systems, which produce 100 kW of electricity, are generally less costly to construct and operate than large hydroelectric dams, and they leave less of an environmental impact.
• They can be found in difficult-to-reach places and offer communities without grid access a dependable source of energy.
  Run-of-river and storage systems are the two primary categories of micro hydro systems. Run-of-river systems harness the energy-producing potential of a stream or river’s natural water flow. Storage systems, on the other hand, store water in a reservoir and release it when electricity is needed.

Conclusion:

Micro hydropower initiatives may also affect nearby communities and the environment. Therefore, before moving forward with the project, a thorough assessment should be conducted to determine the potential impact.

Topic: Shortage of manpower in Railway Board

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Infrastructure

Source: The Hindu

Context

• The Railway Board’s chief executive officer has expressed concerns regarding the serious problem of Indian Railways’ labor shortages and has called for more employees “urgently” in order to guarantee the safe running of trains.
• In addition to stressing the necessity of adding new posts, he emphasized the exponential growth in railway infrastructure, particularly the rise in new lines and trains.
  
  

Concerns

• Additional manpower is urgently needed by Indian Railways for the efficient monitoring and execution of various projects, the maintenance of new assets, and the seamless and secure operation of trains.
• A number of significant incidents over the previous two years have left numerous people dead throughout the railway network, raising concerns.
• The task of filling the numerous openings in different departments, particularly in safety-related roles, has been a longstanding demand of trade unions.

Railways in India

• In terms of passenger traffic, India boasts one of the biggest rail networks in the world.
• India’s railway network ranks fourth globally, with the United States, Russia, and China being the top three.

• The Indian Railways has 7,335 stations spread across 126,366 km of track. A total of 5100 km of track were completed in 2023–2024.
• The Railways Board is in charge of managing the entire infrastructure and holds a monopoly on the provision of rail services in India.
  
  

Challenges the Sector Faces

• Modernization of Infrastructure: A large portion of the railroad’s infrastructure, such as its tracks, bridges, and stations, needs to be updated.
• Financial Strain: Occasionally, revenue from freight and passenger operations is insufficient to cover operating expenses and investment requirements.
• Limited Scope for Outsourcing: It is not practical to outsource vital activities like the maintenance of tracks, bridges, locomotives, coaches, wagons, and signalling equipment because adherence to safety regulations is crucial to train operations.
• Safety Concerns: It is extremely difficult to guarantee safety throughout such a large network.
• Maintenance Problems: Despite being necessary, routine maintenance of rolling stock and infrastructure is frequently not done enough because of financial and practical difficulties.
• Technological Integration: In order to increase productivity and safety, modernizing with new technologies is crucial. Examples of these technologies include sophisticated signalling systems, automated train protection, and real-time tracking.

State-sponsored Projects

• Dedicated freight corridors (DFCs): Building dedicated freight corridors, like the Western and Eastern Corridors, is meant to keep passenger and freight traffic apart, which will ease congestion and boost productivity for both.

• High-Speed Rail Projects: The goal of introducing high-speed rail services is to modernize the rail network and offer faster, more efficient modes of transportation. One example of this is the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor.
• Electrification: The Indian Railways wants to fully electrify its entire rail system.
• Electrification lowers operating costs, lessens reliance on diesel, and contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions.
• Redevelopment of Stations: To enhance amenities and services, the government is spending money to renovate significant train stations. This entails improving amenities, modernizing infrastructure, and improving passenger experience at stations.
• Digital Initiatives: To improve accessibility and user-friendliness, digital platforms such as IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) for ticket booking, real-time train tracking, and e-payment systems have been introduced.

Way Forward

• In order to operate more trains and meet the ambitious targets set for 2030, more labor would be needed for both infrastructure maintenance and train operations.
• In order to receive the Commissioner of Railway Safety’s approval, the development and extension of new facilities and lines within the railways also required strict adherence to all safety regulations.
• For both India’s economic growth and transportation network, Indian Railways is essential.
• Big data for operational efficiency, AI for predictive maintenance, and sophisticated signaling systems are just a few of the technologies that the industry is expected to adopt.
• The goals of increasing network reach, speeding up connections, and improving freight and passenger services remain constant.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/what-the-shortage-of-railway-employees-means-for-the-life-of-a-loco-driver-124071300020_1.html

Mains Model Questions

Q. India’s development narrative has been sustained by its railway system. Examine the difficulties, benefits, and drawbacks of its privatization.

Introduction:

The Indian Railways, which had humble beginnings in India in 1853, have become the primary means of advancing the nation’s socioeconomic development.
It has been owned and run by the Indian government’s Ministry of Railways up until this point. It serves as a means of transportation as well as generating a ton of jobs in the formal and unofficial sectors.

Body:

Advantages of its privatization

• Better Infrastructure: Privatization will result in improved infrastructure, which will enhance traveler amenities.
• Pricing normalization as a result of competition: The problem of price increases resulting from higher-quality services will be solved when private players are allowed to enter the sector since the move would foster competition.
• Enhanced security: Better accountability and oversight brought about by private involvement may help to curb the increasing number of railway accidents.
• Improved technological innovation: Private involvement can help Indian railways expand their capacity and integrate contemporary technology.

Disadvantages of its privatization

• Restricted coverage: One benefit of Indian Railways’ government ownership is that it offers nationwide connectivity regardless of revenue.
• Less inclusive: A fare increase may make trains unaffordable for those with lower incomes.
• Accountability: Since Indian Railways operates around the clock and serves the entire country, privatizing it is a difficult task.
• Effect on the economy: Indian Railways, which offer inexpensive transportation for commercial and agricultural traffic, are the backbone of the Indian economy.
• Thus, the Indian economy as a whole will undoubtedly be impacted by the privatization of the country’s railways.

Conclusion: In order to better allocate the railways’ resources and periodically upgrade their facilities, it is imperative that steps be taken to quickly reimburse the social costs associated with modernizing the railways.
It is possible to put some of the Bibek Debroy committee’s recommendations into practice, such as switching to commercial accounting, appointing an independent regulator, and privatizing the railways’ non-core operations (catering, real estate development, including housing, building and maintaining infrastructure, etc.).