Government Schemes & Policies

Context: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the ‘Food Street Project’ to develop 100 healthy and hygienic food streets across the country with senior officers of the Health Ministry and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

About the street food project

• The aim of this project is to encourage safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and community members, thus, reducing foodborne illnesses and improving overall health outcomes.
• To operationalize the food streets, the National Health Mission (NHM) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide assistance of Rs. 1 crore per food street as a pilot project to support 100 such food streets at different locations across the country.
• The grant will be routed under NHM, in the ratio of 60:40 or 90:10, with the condition that branding of these food streets will be done as per FSSAI guidelines.
• Financial assistance would be provided for activities such as the provision of safe drinking water, hand washing, toilet facilities, tiled flooring of common areas, appropriate liquid & solid waste disposal, provision of dustbins, using billboards, façade preparation and signage of permanent nature, common storage space, lighting, specialized carts for a specific type of trades, branding etc.
• The initiative will be implemented through NHM in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), apart from FSSAI’s technical support.
• The technical assistance will include assistance in designing food streets, preparation of an SOP and providing training under Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) protocol.

Context: The Congress party has accused the government of lack of transparency and accountability in the PM CARES Fund and demanded that a public fund that receives donations of ₹5,000 crore should come under the ambit of RTI and show accountability.

About PM CARES Fund

• PM CARES Fund has been registered as a Public Charitable Trust under the Registration Act, 1908. Its primary objective is to deal with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected.
• The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the PM CARES Fund, and the Ministers of Defence, Home Affairs, and Finance are its Trustees.
• The PM CARES Fund relies entirely on voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations and does not receive any financial support from the government's budget. 
• Contributions made to the PM CARES Fund are eligible for 100% income tax exemption under the Income Tax Act of 1961, encouraging people to donate for a good cause. 
• Donations made to the PM CARES Fund can be counted as part of a company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act of 2013. 
• The PM CARES Fund has received exemption under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), allowing it to receive donations and contributions from foreign individuals and organizations. 
• This exemption is consistent with the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), which has been accepting foreign contributions as a public trust since 2011.

Objectives of PM CARES

• The primary goal of the PM CARES Fund is to support relief and rehabilitation efforts in times of crises, with a focus on providing essential resources and services to people in distress.
• The PM CARES Fund is authorized to provide relief and support in the event of a public health emergency or any other kind of emergency, whether caused by humans or nature. 
• The Fund can support various initiatives such as upgrading healthcare or pharmaceutical facilities, providing necessary infrastructure, funding relevant research, or any other form of assistance. 

Government’s response on audit of PM CARES Fund

• The Centre has informed that PM CARES Fund is set up as a public charitable trust and is not created under the Constitution or any law made by the Parliament or the state. Hence, it does not constitute a public authority under the provisions of the RTI Act
• The trust is not a public authority under Right to Information (RTI), and it accepts voluntary donations by individuals and institutions and any contributions flowing out of budgetary sources of government are not accepted. 
• The government has clarified that the PM CARES Fund/Trust is independent of any government or its agencies. Although some holders of public office serve on the board of trustees, it is for administrative convenience only and does not confer ownership or control over the trust. 
• Furthermore, the purpose of the PM CARES Fund/Trust is entirely charitable, and its funds are not used for any government projects. Therefore, the trust cannot be classified as a 'public authority' and is not governed by any government policies.

Right to Information:

• The Right to Information Act (RTI) of 2005 is a landmark law in India, aimed at combating corruption and ensuring accountability in governance. 
• It grants citizens the power to access government documents and files and hold public officials accountable for their actions. 
• The RTI Act is a crucial tool for promoting transparency and accountability in a democratic society, where the government is accountable to its citizens.
• In fact, the Supreme Court of India has held in the case of 'Raj Narayan v/s Uttar Pradesh' that the Right to Information is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. This reflects the importance of the right to information in a democratic society.
• However, there are certain organizations that are exempted from the purview of the RTI Act. These include intelligence agencies, the central economic intelligence bureau, research bodies working with the country's security agencies, and paramilitary forces.

Success of RTI

• 2G Scam
• Coalgate Scam

Challenges of Right to Information:

• Low public awareness: Section 26 of the Act states that the appropriate Government may develop and organize educational programmes to advance the understanding of the public, especially disadvantaged communities, regarding how to exercise the rights contemplated under the Act. However, information seeker survey revealed that only 15% of the respondents were aware of the RTI Act.
• Poor record management practices: Under Section 4(2), organizations have to maintain computerized records – but organizations are not doing it.

• Constraints faced in filing applications: Non-availability of User Guides for RTI implementation for information seekers, which was mandated under Section 26 of the RTI Act.
• Exemptions: Section 8(1) provides for exemptions to disclosure of info from Intelligence organizations, Judiciary, Cabinet papers, and matters concerning Foreign relations.
• Poor quality of information provided: During the information seeker survey, it was also highlighted than more than 75% of the citizens are dissatisfied with the quality of information being provided. The percentage of people who said that incomplete information was provided to them was alarmingly high in Andhra Pradesh – 91% and Uttar Pradesh - 96%.
• Lack of Information on certain accounts: During COVID pandemic when the government was asked about specific data on how many people lost their lives due to lack of oxygen, number of migrant workers who lost their jobs – government replied that it does not have such data.
• Failure to provide information within 30 days: During the study, more than 50% of the information seekers mentioned that it took more than 30 days to receive the information from the PIO. 
• Information Commissions are becoming parking lots for retired bureaucrats. 
• Vacancies: There is a huge backlog of vacancies in the information commission i.e., 24% of the information commissioners posts lying vacant in 28 states.
• Threat to RTI Activists: According to Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), 84 RTI activists have been murdered since 2005 for seeking information on illegal construction, alleged scams in social welfare schemes, and corruption in panchayats.

Way Forward:

• Reduce pendency
• Fill up vacancies
• Protection to Whistle Blowers 
• Bring Political Parties under RTI

Context: The Government launched the ambitious Vibrant Villages Programme to develop 2,967 border villages along China through integrated planning. It aims to boost infrastructure, open villages to tourism, gather intelligence and curb migration. The programme will use satellite images and GIS mapping to track changes. 455 Arunachal villages, 35 Ladakh villages and some in HP, Sikkim and Uttarakhand will be covered first. The Rs. 4,800 crore scheme focuses on roads, livelihoods and motivating residents to stay. It counters China's expanding 'moderately prosperous' villages opposite sensitive areas.

Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)

The Government of India announced the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) in the Union Budget 2022-23. It aims to develop infrastructure and enhance livelihood opportunities in villages located along India's border with China. 

The objective of VVP is threefold:

First, Improve connectivity and basic amenities in border villages to curb migration from these areas. Lack of roads, healthcare, education and economic opportunities have led to migration of youth from border villages in search of jobs. This poses challenges for border security as it reduces the population providing intelligence inputs.

Second, Boost the local economy in border villages through promotion of tourism, trade and handicrafts. This will provide livelihood support to communities living in harsh border conditions.

Third, Strengthen security in border areas by enabling access for defense forces and boosting the morale of local communities. Lack of infrastructure has hampered patrolling in some border areas. Locals acting as 'eyes and ears' also need to feel connected to the mainstream. 

• The VVP aims to cover 2,967 villages in 19 districts across 5 states - Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh along the China border. In the first phase, 662 priority villages will be covered at a cost of Rs. 4,800 crore over 3 years. Road construction will receive the major allocation of Rs. 2,500 crore. 
• The program will be integrated with the PM Gati Shakti national master plan for coordinated development of infrastructure. Satellite data and GIS mapping will be used to monitor the progress of VVP in real time. States have been asked to organize cultural and tourism activities in selected villages to support the local population. 
• The VVP is the Centre's strategic move to strengthen security and spur development in border villages along the sensitive China border. If implemented effectively, it can give a fillip to the economy, improve living standards, reduce migration and enhance India's defense preparedness through a well-connected and thriving border community. However, much will depend on coordinated efforts between the Centre and States as well as cooperation from locals in these sensitive areas.

Rationale and Significance

• Develop border areas: The border villages along China are remote, sparsely populated and lack infrastructure and connectivity. The VVP aims to boost infrastructure like roads as well as livelihood opportunities in these neglected areas. This will spur development in these border regions.
• Curb migration: The lack of opportunities in border villages has led to migration of youth to cities. The VVP seeks to generate livelihoods and motivate people to continue staying in border areas. This can help maintain population in sensitive border regions.
• Strengthen security: By developing border villages and encouraging people to stay, the VVP will help strengthen India's security apparatus in these areas. The local population can provide intelligence and their presence also acts as a deterrent against incursions.
• Counter China: China has been developing model 'Xiaokang' villages close to the LAC opposite Indian border states. The VVP is aimed at countering China's moves by ramping up infrastructure and access in India's border villages. This can boost India's strategic interests along the border.
• Promote tourism: Opening up border villages to tourism through activities like fairs, cultural events etc. can generate employment and economic opportunities for locals. It can also bring these scenic but secluded areas into the mainstream, boosting their prosperity.
• Integrated planning: The VVP will use technologies like satellite imaging and GIS mapping to monitor development in border villages. This integrated approach can help in targeted policymaking and implementation to transform these villages.

Implementation Strategy

• MHA is nodal ministry, will monitor through BISAG-N's satellite data and GIS mapping.

• Tailored plans: Border villages have diverse terrains, populations and challenges across states. Plans should be tailored based on local needs and potentials. A 'one-size-fits-all' approach may not work.
• People's participation: Local communities must be actively involved in planning and implementation. Their participation can make schemes sustainable and address key priorities. Villagers' inputs should be incorporated.
• Focus on connectivity: Lack of connectivity is a key reason for migration and under-development in border areas. Road networks should be expanded along with telecom connectivity. This can open up opportunities.
• Livelihood promotion: Schemes for skills training, tourism, agriculture etc. should be based on local resources and demands. This can generate sustainable incomes and jobs for people.
• Continued monitoring: Using satellite data and GIS tools, infrastructure and land use changes in border villages should be regularly monitored. This can help review and upgrade plans to achieve desired development.
• Convergence of schemes: Various central/state schemes like PMGSY, Skill India, Digital India etc. should be converged for maximum impact. Duplication of efforts should be avoided through integrated planning.
• Adequate funds and autonomy: Sufficient funds must be allocated for timely completion of ambitious projects. Local administrations should be given more autonomy and flexibility in utilising funds as per needs.
• Security considerations: Development plans should factor in security considerations given the sensitive border locations. Infrastructure like roads should meet the needs of security forces as well.
• Promote tourism: In addition to livelihoods, tourism potentials of border villages with natural scenery should be leveraged for economic and connectivity gains. This can boost local prosperity through homestays, guides, handicraft sales etc.

PM Gati Shakti  It is a digital platform for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects. It aims to bring ministries like Railways, Roadways, Shipping together for coordinated development of projects. The key benefits of integrating the Vibrant Villages Programme with PM Gati Shakti are: Breaking silos: Different ministries and departments often work in silos, leading to lack of coordination and duplication of efforts. PM Gati Shakti's integrated platform can enable planning the VVP across ministries, avoiding silos and ensuring convergence. Prioritising connectivity: The VVP focuses on infrastructure and connectivity in border villages. Use of the PM Gati Shakti platform can help map existing and required connectivity in border areas and prioritise critical gap areas to address first. This data-driven approach aids targeted implementation. Satellite mapping: PM Gati Shakti uses satellite images and GIS mapping to map terrain and plan projects. This technology can be leveraged for the VVP to map border villages, track infrastructure progress, and make any changes in real-time based on needs. This helps in continued monitoring and optimisation of initiatives. Identifying chokepoints: The PM Gati Shakti platform uses mapping to identify infrastructure chokepoints and gaps across the country. This approach can similarly help identify key road, rail or digital connectivity chokepoints in border areas that the VVP needs to address on priority to boost access and strategic mobility. Coordinated security planning: Enhancing infrastructure and connectivity in border villages pertains to national security too. Use of the PM Gati Shakti platform can enable coordinated planning of VVP initiatives along with inputs from security agencies. This helps factor in any security considerations in development plans. Optimising resources: A comprehensive view of existing and needed infrastructure, enabled by the PM Gati Shakti platform, can help optimise allocation of funds and resources for the VVP. Duplication of efforts can be avoided and funds channeled to priority areas.

Context: The Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), unveiled the digital version of the Employability Skills curriculum for students enrolled in India’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) at the Future Skills Forum in New Delhi.

About The Future Skills Forum

• It is an initiative of the Future Right Skills Network (FRSN) a collaborative effort by QUEST Alliance, Accenture, Cisco, and J.P. Morgan.
• It brings together government skills training institutions, civil society organisations, industry and corporate social responsibility partners to help young people acquire critical skills for the future.

About Employability Skills (ES)Curriculum

• ES curriculum which was launched by the MSDE in September 2022.
• Aimed at fulfilling the need for anytime, anywhere learning, these modules will be accessible to more than 2.5 million learners through the Government of India’s Bharat Skills Portal as well as other platforms.
• Developed with active industry contribution, the curriculum includes 12 modules in a bite-sized, gamified format and each lesson is followed by assessments that are designed to help learners assess the depth of their learning.
• The storytelling approach followed in the modules provides learners with relatable scenarios that they can apply to real-world situations.
• The constructive feedback system ensures that learners receive feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable thus enabling improved learning outcomes.
• The digital lessons will be instrumental in introducing innovative pedagogical models like blended learning in Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), which will empower educators to create and lead 21^st-century classrooms.
• The digital lessons include modules on financial and digital literacy, diversity and inclusion, career development, goal setting and entrepreneurship.