GS Analyst: Daily Editorial In Brief

Context:

Recent analysis of Central Water Commission data reveals that only 23% of the holding capacity in South India's reservoirs is filled, indicating a looming water crisis.

Factors Contributing to the Crisis:

• Impact of El Niño Events: The current water crisis in South India is exacerbated by the ongoing El Niño event, one of the strongest recorded in history. El Niño events lead to erratic monsoons, further aggravating water scarcity.
• Escalating Climate Change: Meteorologists predict worsening conditions due to climate change, with 2023 being the warmest year on record and projections indicating further temperature increases. This exacerbates drought conditions and intensifies water scarcity.
• Upcoming General Election: With millions of voters expected to spend additional time outdoors during the general election, water demand is likely to rise further, adding pressure to already strained water resources.

Persistent Challenges and Compounding Factors:

• Inadequate Preparedness: Despite previous water crises and improved policies and forecasting, there remains a gap in preparedness and implementation of effective measures on the ground.
• Structural Issues: Unplanned urban growth, over-extraction of groundwater, low water reuse efficiency, and encroachment on catchment areas persist, exacerbating the water crisis.
• Climate Change Compounding Effects: Climate change exacerbates water scarcity and increases the likelihood of simultaneous crises, such as droughts and disease outbreaks, further impacting socio-economic conditions, particularly among marginalized groups.

Context:

 The Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS) and its implications for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have sparked critical attention due to various challenges and issues.

Challenges in ABPS Implementation:

• Technological Hurdles: Numerous challenges plague the ABPS-MGNREGS linkage, including Internet connectivity issues, fingerprint recognition problems, and difficulties faced by the disabled. These challenges hinder the smooth functioning of the payment system and adversely affect beneficiaries.
• Database Management Issues: Despite a significant budgetary allocation to MGNREGS, issues such as unrecorded working days, name duplication, errors in linking, and elimination of names persist. The deletion of 5.2 crore workers from the database in 2022-23 and the ineligibility of 34.8% of job card holders for ABPS highlight the magnitude of the problem.
• Dependency on Technology: The ABPS places rural workers at the mercy of technology, prioritizing technological solutions over employment security. This approach undermines the core objective of MGNREGS, which is to provide socio-economic security to rural households through guaranteed wage employment.

Technology vs. Worker Empowerment:

• Misconception of Technology's Role: The design and deployment of ABPS have positioned technology as the focal point, sidelining the welfare of workers. Rather than empowering workers, technology has become an overbearing element in their lives, overshadowing employment security.
• Ideal Objectives of Employment Guarantee Schemes: Schemes like MGNREGS aim to provide work security and alleviate socio-economic distress, not serve as platforms for technological interventions. The state's techno-centric approach risks undermining the scheme's ideals of inclusion and equity.
• Need for Balanced Approach: While technology has the potential to support socio-economic development, it must not overshadow the core objectives of employment guarantee schemes. Lessons from past failures in technological interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize the importance of prioritizing workers' welfare over technological advancements.

Revisiting Developmental Imaginaries:

• Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Rural employment guarantee schemes contribute significantly to achieving SDGs, directly and indirectly. However, the state's techno-centric approach must align with the goals of inclusivity and socio-economic empowerment.
• Budgetary Allocation Considerations: The substantial budget allocated to MGNREGS should prioritize rectifying technological maladies and ensure efficient delivery of benefits to beneficiaries. Fundamental developmental imaginaries need reconsideration to place workers' welfare at the forefront.
• Socio-Economic Security Priority: In an era of growing inequality and rural distress, technology can play a supportive role, but the primary focus should always be on ensuring the livelihood security of workers. The state must strike a balance between technological advancements and socio-economic welfare.

Context:

India commemorates the 20th anniversary of the launch of Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV) on April 1, 2004.

Evolution of Free ART Initiative

• Origins of the Initiative:Launched amidst global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, the Free ART initiative aimed to address the challenges of limited access and affordability of antiretroviral drugs for PLHIV in India.
• Impact and Expansion: Over the past two decades, the initiative has significantly expanded, with the establishment of around 700 ART centres and provision of free ART drugs to approximately 1.8 million PLHIV.
• Achievements: The initiative has contributed to reducing the prevalence of HIV, with notable declines in new infections and AIDS-related mortalities, aligning with global targets set by UNAIDS.

Complementary Initiatives and Adaptations:

• Comprehensive Approach: Success of the Free ART initiative attributed to complementary measures such as free diagnostic facilities, prevention of parent-to-child transmission services, and management of opportunistic infections.
• Adaptive Strategies: Programme evolved over time, incorporating early initiation of ART, 'Treat All' policy, and rapid ART initiation to enhance effectiveness and reduce virus transmission.
• Patient-Centric Services: Introduction of patient-centric services, including provision of longer medication supplies, facilitated adherence to treatment and minimized clinic visits, enhancing overall healthcare delivery.

Challenges and Future Directions:

• Persistent Challenges: Despite successes, challenges such as delayed enrolment, patient adherence, and sustained supply of ART drugs persist, necessitating focused attention and intervention.
• Integration and Capacity Building: Emphasis on integration with other health programmes, private sector engagement, and continuous capacity building crucial for addressing evolving healthcare needs.
• Policy Lessons and Way Forward: The Free ART initiative underscores the importance of political will, sustained funding, and community engagement in delivering quality healthcare services. Its success provides valuable insights for strengthening other public health programmes and advancing towards disease elimination goals.