Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Technology; Environment
In news
A new report ‘Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India’ was recently released.
Released by: NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) India
Key takeaways
It highlights the role of finance in India’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
It has also analysed that the transition will require a capital investment of USD 266 billion in EVs, charging infrastructure, and batteries over the next decade.
Consumers currently face several challenges, such as high interest rates, high insurance rates, and low loan-to-value ratios.
10 solutions have been identified to address these challenges.
Financial institutions such as banks and NBFCs, and the industry and government will be able to adopt solutions.
The Supreme Court has asked the government to explain why it had not set up an “independent environment regulator” to oversee green clearances.
Key takeaways
In ‘Lafarge mining case’, the SC had ordered the setting up of a national environment regulatory body to ensure independent oversight of green clearances.
Such a regulator should appraise projects, enforce environmental conditions for approvals and to impose penalties on polluters.
SC had made it clear that till such mechanism was put in place, the Environment Ministry (MoEF) should prepare a panel of accredited institutions from which alone the project proponent should obtain the Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the Terms of Reference to be formulated by the MoEF.
Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Policies and interventions; Welfare schemes
In news
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development recently submitted its report to the Lok Sabha.
According to the report, the Centre must increase the “meagre” pensions provided for poor senior citizens, widows and disabled people.
Key takeaways
The Committee observed that under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), amount of assistance ranging from ₹200 to ₹500 per month is provided under its different components.
The panel had also previously urged the increase in these pensions in its reports on the Department of Rural Development’s (DoRD) demand for grants in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Important value additions
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
It provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities in the form of social pensions.
Administered by: Ministry of Rural Development
It consists of five sub-schemes:
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
Annapurna Scheme
(Mains Focus)
SOCIETY/ GOVERNANCE
Topic:
GS-1: Women and their problems; Social Empowerment
GS-2: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Context: In a PIL Case Nirjhari Mukul Sinha v. Union Of India, the Gujarat High Court has passed an order proposing nine guidelines that the state should follow to end menstruation taboo and discriminatory practices pertaining to it.
About the Unfortunate Incident
In February 2020, 66 girls of Shree Sahjanand Girls Institute (SSGI) in Bhuj Town of Gujarat were made to undress, by the college and hostel authorities, to check if they were menstruating. Two others who said that they were menstruating, were not stripped.
After the initial probe, Darshana Dholakia, in-charge vice-chancellor of the university to which the college is affiliated, had justified the action, saying the girls were checked because the hostel has a rule that girls on their menstrual cycle are not supposed to take meals with other inmates.
This soon led to a widespread public outrage leading to the arrest of four and filing of FIR in Gujarat High Court, seeking direction for a law to specifically deal with the exclusionary practice against women on the basis of their menstrual status.
The Court proposed to issue the following directions for the State Government to follow;
Prohibit social exclusion of women on the basis of their menstrual status at all places, be it private or public, religious or educational
The State Government should spread awareness among its citizens regarding the social exclusion of women on the basis of their menstrual status through various mediums
Empowerment of women through education and increasing their role in decision-making can also aid in this regard;
Sensitization of health workers, ASHA and Anganwadi Workers regarding menstruation biology must also be done so that they can further disseminate this knowledge in the community and mobilize social support against busting menstruation-related myths.
The State Government should hold campaigns, drives, involve NGOs and other private organizations to spread such awareness;
The State Government should prohibit all educational institutions, hostels, and living spaces for women-studying working and others, private or public, by whatever name called, from following social exclusion of women on the basis of their menstrual status in any manner;
The State Government should undertake surprise checks, create an appropriate mechanism and take such other actions, steps as may be necessary to ensure its compliance including the imposition of an appropriate penalty against the erring institution.
Analysis of the issue
Form of Untouchability: It has been argued that treating menstruating women differently amounts to a practice of untouchability.
Violation of Fundamental Rights: The practice which is being followed and encouraged of exclusion of women on the basis of their menstrual status is violative of human, legal and fundamental rights of women, more particularly, those as enshrined under Articles 14, 15, 17, 19, and 21 respectively of the Constitution.
Stigmatisation of Menstruation: Menstruation has been stigmatized in our society. This stigma has built up due to the traditional beliefs in impurity of menstruating women and our unwillingness to discuss it normally
Daily restrictions faced by women: Not entering the “puja” room is the major restriction among the urban girls whereas, not entering the kitchen is the main restriction among the rural girls during menstruation. Menstruating girls and women are also restricted from offering prayers and touching holy books
Patriarchal beliefs: The underlying basis for this myth is also the cultural beliefs of impurity associated with menstruation and that it is believed that menstruating women are unhygienic and unclean and hence the food they prepare or handle can get contaminated.
Impact on Education: Large number of girls in many less economically developed countries drop out of school when they begin menstruating (over 23% of girls in India)
Impact on Health: Such taboos about menstruation present in many societies impact on girls’ and women’s emotional state, mentality and lifestyle and most importantly, health.88% of women in India sometimes resort to using ashes, newspapers, dried leaves and husk sand to aid absorption. Poor protection and inadequate washing facilities may increase susceptibility to infection.
Lacks Awareness and Public debate: Young girls often grow up with limited knowledge of menstruation because their mothers and other women shy away from discussing the issues with them.
Against Right to Privacy: Exclusion on the basis of menstruation status is not only an infringement of women’s bodily autonomy but also an infringement of right to privacy
Against Judicial Precedence in Sabarimala Verdict: The petitioners have relied on the Supreme Court’s Sabarimala temple entry judgment where a 4:1 majority bench had held that the temple’s practice of excluding women’s entry is unconstitutional
Gender–unfriendly school culture and infrastructure and the lack of adequate menstrual protection alternatives and/or clean, safe and private sanitation facilities for female teachers and girls undermine their right to privacy.
Conclusion
However, before issuing appropriate directions, as referred to above, the Court has sought the response of the State Government as well as the Union of India.
Context: The Uttarakhand government, in a recent meeting with Union Home Minister, had sought withdrawal of “inner-line permit” (ILP) system in Niti Valley of Chamoli district and Nelang Valley of Uttarkashi district of the State.
What is ILP System?
Uttarakhand shares a 350-km border with China and a 275-km boundary with Nepal.
The ILP system restricts movement in areas close to the border for everyone other than those with a formal permission.
In Uttarakhand, tourists have to obtain ILP for locations near China border, at least in the three districts of Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Chamoli.
ITBP allows a minimum possible number of tourists in these areas as there is a risk of getting trapped and going missing in snowfalls in that area
Reasons why Government and People are asking for removal of ILP system
Relaxation on movement will increase tourist activities in the area. Presently, foreign tourists are prohibited in this area while domestic tourists are allowed entry with ILP. The maximum number of people allowed are 24 in a day and they cannot stay there at night.
Removal of restriction also means increase in overall economic activities of the region.
Villages will be rehabilitated so that locals could also act as ‘eyes’ and ‘ears’ at border for surveillance.
It will also stop outward migration. This is because most of the border villages see outward migration owing to lack of livelihood opportunities
