Social Justice

Street Vendors Act, 2014

Context: A decade has passed since the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act came into effect on May 1, 2014, marking a significant milestone after nearly four decades of legal jurisprudence and the tireless efforts of street vendor movements across India.

Importance of street vendors:

Street vendors estimated to constitute 2.5% of any city’s population, play multifaceted roles in city life:

Affordability: The vendors make city life affordable for others by providing vital links in the food, nutrition, and goods distribution chain at reasonable prices.
Employment generation: They offer many migrants and the urban poor a source of modest yet consistent income.
Preserving local culture: They are an integral part of the local culture and identity. Food vendors helps preserve traditional recipes and cooking methods e.g.: vada pav
Provider of daily services: They are essential components of daily life by providing vital services that support the local economy as well as nutritional needs of the population.

Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act:

It aimed to ‘protect’ and ‘regulate’ street vending in cities, with State-level rules and schemes, and execution by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) through by-laws, planning, and regulation.
It delineates the roles and responsibilities of both vendors and various levels of government.
It establishes a participatory governance structure through Town Vending Committees (TVCs) and mandates that street vendor representatives must constitute 40% of TVC members, with a sub-representation of 33% of women street vendors.
- These committees are tasked with ensuring the inclusion of all existing vendors in vending zones.
It outlines mechanisms for addressing grievances and disputes, proposing the establishment of a Grievance Redressal Committee chaired by a civil judge or judicial magistrate.
It recommends that the number of street vendors be limited to 2.5 percent of the population of the ward, zone, town or city.
It recognises the positive urban role of vendors and the need for livelihood protection. It commits to accommodating all ‘existing’ vendors in vending zones and issuing vending certificates.

Challenges in its implementation:

At the administrative level: There has been a noticeable increase in harassment and evictions of street vendors, due to an outdated bureaucratic mindset that views vendors as illegal entities to be cleared.
- There is also a pervasive lack of awareness and sensitisation about the Act among state authorities, the wider public, and vendors themselves.
- TVCs often remain under the control of local city authorities, with limited influence from street vendor representatives. And the representation of women vendors in TVCs is mostly tokenistic.
At the governance level: Existing urban governance mechanisms are often weak. The Act does not integrate well with the framework established by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act for urban governance.
- ULBs lack sufficient powers and capacities. Schemes like the Smart Cities Mission, laden with resources and pushed through as policy priorities from the top-down, mostly focus on infrastructure development and ignore the provisions of the Act for the inclusion of street vendors in city planning.
At the societal level: The prevailing image of the ‘world class city tends to be exclusionary. It marginalises and stigmatises street vendors as obstacles to urban development instead of acknowledging them as legitimate contributors to the urban economy.
- These challenges are reflected in city designs, urban policies, and public perceptions of neighbourhoods.

Way forward:

Progressive legislation: The Street Vendors Act is progressive and detailed, but its effective implementation requires initial top-down direction from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, eventually transitioning to a more decentralized approach.
Decentralization needed: For the Act to be effectively implemented, it is crucial to decentralize the management and enhance the capacities of ULBs to plan for street vending in cities, and move away from high-handed department-led actions to actual deliberative processes at the TVC level.
Integration into urban planning: Urban schemes, city planning guidelines, and policies should be amended to explicitly include and support street vending.
Addressing new challenges:
- Climate Change: Consider the impact of climate change on the working conditions and sustainability of street vending.
- Increase in vendor numbers: Manage and support the growing number of street vendors.
- E-commerce competition: Address competitive pressures from online markets.
- Reduced incomes: Find innovative solutions to help vendors boost or stabilize their earnings.
Removing the ceiling in the number of vendors: The Act recommends that the number of street vendors be limited to 2.5 percent of the population of the ward, zone, town or city. Because in large and heavily populated cities like Mumbai and Delhi, which are centres of economic activity, the ceiling is grossly inadequate, the report urges the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to explore the possibility of revisiting this ceiling.

The sub-component on street vendors in the National Urban Livelihood Mission needs to take cognizance of the changed realities and facilitate innovative measures for addressing needs. PM SVANidhi, a micro-credit facility for street vendors, has been a positive example in that direction.

Commemorating 50 Years of Immunization Programs: A Milestone Analysis

Context: 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the World Health Organization's Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), launched in 1974. This initiative, pivotal in the post-smallpox eradication era, spurred countries globally to set up national immunization programs.

India launched its program in 1978, renaming it the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985. This year is also significant as it marks twenty years since India's last comprehensive review of the UIP, highlighting a crucial period for evaluating past progress and shaping future strategies.

About Vaccines

Vaccination effectively protects against diseases by safely using your body's natural defenses to build resistance. Vaccines train the immune system to produce antibodies, similar to natural exposure to a disease, but without causing the disease or its complications, as they contain only killed or weakened germs.

All the ingredients of a vaccine play an important role in ensuring a vaccine is safe and effective. Some of these include:

The antigen. This is a killed or weakened form of a virus or bacteria, which trains our bodies to recognize and fight the disease if we encounter it in the future.
Adjuvants, which help to boost our immune response. This means they help vaccines to work better.
Preservatives, which ensure a vaccine stays effective.
Stabilisers, which protect the vaccine during storage and transportation.

Global and National Vaccine Impact

Over the past five decades, vaccine development and coverage have dramatically improved. From vaccines for six diseases in 1974, today there are universally recommended vaccines for 13 diseases and additional vaccines for 17 more based on regional needs.
The coverage for the DPT vaccine, a key indicator of immunization reach, has increased from 5% in the early 1970s to 84% globally by 2022.
Smallpox has been eradicated, and polio nearly eliminated, showcasing significant progress in disease control through vaccination.

Economic and Health Benefits

Vaccination programs are not only medically beneficial but also economically viable.
Studies indicate that every dollar spent on vaccination can yield a return of seven to 11 times the investment, underscoring their cost-effectiveness.
These programs are typically more successful in government settings, especially in countries like India where the government administers 85% to 90% of all vaccines despite a substantial private healthcare sector.

Challenges and Declines in Coverage

There is Persistent inequities in vaccine access by geography and socioeconomic status.
In early 2023, the UNICEF’s ‘The State of the World’s Children’ report revealed a concerning trend: for the first time in more than a decade, the childhood immunisation coverage had declined in 2021.
In 2022, globally, an estimated 14.3 million children were zero dose (did not receive any recommended vaccine) while another 6.2 million children were partially immunised.

From childhood focus to life course

Historically, vaccines have targeted not only children but also adults, dating back to the first smallpox vaccine in 1798. With the growing burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in adults, there is a pressing need to extend immunization to older populations.
Recent policies, such as the introduction of the HPV vaccine for teenage girls and pilot adult BCG vaccination campaigns, are steps toward broader immunization coverage.

Steps to be taken in this regard:

As vaccines are highly cost effective, once recommended by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), vaccines for all age groups should be made available as free at the government facilities.
Second, the NTAGI in India, should start providing recommendations on the use of vaccines in adults and the elderly.
Third, the prevailing myths and misconceptions about vaccines must be proactively addressed to tackle vaccine hesitancy. The government must consider the help of professional communication agencies to dispel myths (and in a layperson’s language and with the use of social media).
Fourth, various professional associations of doctors — community medicine experts, family physicians and paediatricians should work to increase awareness about vaccines among adults and the elderly.
Fifth, medical colleges and research institutions should generate evidence on the burden of diseases in the adult population in India.

Conclusion:

In late 2023, India launched a pilot adult BCG vaccination program to combat tuberculosis, expanding immunization efforts beyond the previous 50-year focus on children, inspired by the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.

The goal now is to also address vaccine inequities, target zero-dose children, and extend vaccination coverage to adults and the elderly, thereby transforming the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) into ‘Essential Program on Immunization (EPI)’ that encompasses all age groups.

Rise of India’s Elderly Population

Context: The article addresses the need for improved home-based care policies in India to support its ageing population, emphasizing standardized care, trained caregivers, and comprehensive regulatory frameworks.

The Rise of India’s Elderly Population: Challenges and Policy Interventions

Demographic Shifts and Their Implications: India is witnessing a significant demographic shift as its elderly population (aged 60 years and above) is projected to rise sharply.
- From 100 million in 2011, this number is expected to more than double to 230 million by 2036, and reach nearly 319 million by 2050. This will constitute about one-fifth of the total population.
- The catalysts for this trend are the declining fertility rates and increased life expectancy, reflecting a broader global pattern of aging populations but presenting unique challenges for India.

Reduction in average household size :
- The reduction in average household size from 5.94 in 2011 to 3.54 in 2021 signifies fewer younger family members to care for the elderly.
- This shift necessitates a comprehensive re- evaluation of the health and social care systems to address the growing need for senior care, which blurs the lines between social care and healthcare due to chronic illnesses prevalent among the elderly.

Home-Based Care: Expanding Needs and Services
- Home-based care in India has evolved significantly, now encompassing not only assistance with daily living activities but also routine and specialized nursing care.
- According to a report by NITI Aayog, home healthcare could potentially replace up to 65% of unnecessary hospital visits and reduce associated costs by 20%.

What Is Home Health Care?

At its most basic level, home health care is exactly what the name suggests: “It’s care for someone within their home,”.

Different Types of Home Health Care
There are two primary types of home health care:·
- Medical Care
  This type of home health care—often called skilled care—is provided by a medical professional, such as a physician, registered nurse or physical therapist. Services they could provide include wound care and physical, occupational and speech therapy. Other potential services include patient and caregiver education, injections and nutrition therapy. Medical home health care is prescribed by a doctor.·
- Non-Medical Care
  Non-medical care includes “assistance with activities of daily living—so, things like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, transportation to and from physician appointments, running errands, shopping and housekeeping,”. It’s provided by home health or home care aides.

Challenges in Caregiving

Despite this potential, home care practices lack standardization and formal recognition as professional service, leading to challenges in caregiver availability and quality.
The market for home-based care is burgeoning, with expectations to grow from approximately USD 6-7 billion in 2021 to USD 21 billion by 2027 at an annual growth rate of 15-19%. This growth, however, is predominantly driven by the private sector, emphasizing the need for greater regulatory oversight and support.

Policy Interventions and Government Role
- Recognizing "home" as a place of care and a formal workplace can protect and empower both caregivers and care recipients.
- This requires regulatory changes, such as those proposed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), which acknowledges home hospitalisation under specific conditions.
- Policymaking must also address the need for standardized training and career paths for caregivers, along with establishing a comprehensive registry of providers to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Moreover, grievance redressal mechanisms and insurance coverage must be robust to safeguard all stakeholders involved.

Special Considerations for Vulnerable Groups
- The policy framework should specifically address the needs of older women, who are more likely to outlive their male counterparts and spend a significant portion of their lives as widows.
- Tailored support for these women is crucial to ensure they live dignified and independent lives in their later years.

Legislative and Collaborative Efforts
- The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019, is a legislative step towards regulating home-based care, although it remains pending in Parliament since its introduction.
- Enhanced cooperation among the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is critical to drive the necessary reforms and ensure that the policies effectively address the needs of India's aging population.

Conclusion

While India continues to focus on its youth, it is imperative not to neglect the elderly, a growing demographic that requires equal attention and care. Learning from countries with advanced elderly care systems like Japan can help India build a robust framework that supports its aging citizens while enabling the younger population to contribute effectively to the nation's economy. The challenge is not only economic but also deeply rooted in social, ethical, and moral responsibilities towards the elderly.

Impact of Rising Temperatures on Global Health

About Heat Crisis

Recent data confirms that 2023 marked the hottest year on record, signaling a disturbing trend of increasing global temperatures. This trend poses significant threats to urban and rural areas alike, particularly as cities expand at the cost of natural landscapes. Experts predict that for those born in 2023, it may be the coolest year of their lives, hinting at the severe climate challenges ahead.

The immediate threat posed by heat waves

As summer progresses across the Indian Subcontinent, the immediate threat posed by heat waves becomes more pronounced. Heat waves, characterized by unusually high temperatures and often exacerbated by increased humidity, significantly impact health. The combination of heat and humidity, referred to as "moist heat," increases the stress on the human body.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there has been a 30% increase in moist heat stress from 1980 to 2020, underscoring the growing impact of these climate-related events.

Health Impacts of Heat Exposure

The health ramifications of global warming are extensive and multifaceted, impacting human, animal, and plant health.

Direct consequences include:

Physical stress from heat: Increased body temperature can lead to dehydration, inability of the skin to cool the body through perspiration, and dilatation of blood vessels and thickening of blood with increased risk of clot formation (thrombosis).
Extreme weather: Events like heatwaves exacerbate public health crises by directly affecting vulnerable populations, including the elderly, infants, and those with pre-existing conditions.
- A global study published in 2022 covering 266 studies found that heat waves are linked to a 11.7% increase in mortality.
- The most significant risks were for stroke and coronary heart disease. As the population ages and cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity become more prevalent, each 1°C increase in temperature could significantly amplify the risk of severe cardiovascular events.
Spread of diseases: Changes in climate affect the distribution of mosquitoes and other vectors, leading to the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue.
Worsening non-communicable diseases: Heat contributes to higher incidences of strokes, heart attacks, respiratory diseases, and other chronic conditions.
- Even as of now, NCDs contribute to 65 per cent of deaths in India — a majority of them in productive mid-life. The heat effects of climate change will only exacerbate the problem.
Mental health: he psychological impact of climate events can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Infrastructure strain: Health systems face increased demand not only from direct heat effects but also from the displacement of populations and damage to healthcare facilities due to extreme weather.

Environmental and Societal Consequences

Wildfires: triggered by excessive heat release particulate matter (PM 2.5) and toxic chemicals (ozone, carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic compounds and nitrogen dioxide) can cause extensive inflammation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes, heart rhythm abnormalities, pulmonary embolism, heart failure), respiratory disease, diabetes and pre-diabetes. Chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde (also present in wildfire emissions) increase the risk of cancer.
Agricultural impact: Heat stress combined with water scarcity reduces crop yields and nutrient quality, jeopardizing food security.
- Countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa currently grow staples (like rice and wheat) at the highest levels of heat tolerance. A further increase of 1 degree centigrade will lower their yield by 10 per cent. The crops will also be more deficient in zinc, protein and iron.
- The Data Sciences Centre of Columbia University has estimated that if global warming continues unabated, India of 2050 will have 49 million more zinc deficient persons and 38.2 million new protein deficient persons, while 106.1 million children and 396 million women would be iron deficient.
- Protective foods like fruit, vegetables and fish would be depleted. These foods reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Rising ocean temperatures will flood coastal agriculture while reducing fish yields.
Biodiversity loss: Rising temperatures threaten biodiversity, which is crucial for maintaining resilient food systems and access to nutritious wild foods.

Adaptive Strategies for a Warmer World

In response to these challenges, it is critical to develop comprehensive adaptation strategies that include:

Heat action plans: Tailored for both urban and rural settings, these plans aim to mitigate the impact of heatwaves.
Climate-resilient systems: Enhancements in food and healthcare systems to withstand climate changes are essential.
Public education and infrastructure: Educating the public and healthcare providers about heat risks and protective measures is crucial. Infrastructure improvements, such as heat-reflective building materials and increased green spaces, are also vital.
Personal protection measures: Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes, using umbrellas or hats, and increasing water intake are practical steps individuals can take to protect themselves from heat.

As the planet faces unprecedented warming, the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its inevitable impacts becomes increasingly crucial. Both systemic and individual level changes are essential to safeguard global health against the rising tide of heat-related challenges.

Bring back the healthy food plate

Context: India is undergoing a major “nutrition transition” which is characterised by rapidly changing dietary patterns. There is a significant shift away from traditional diets (which were high in fibre and comprised mostly whole foods) to more western-style diets which are highly processed and high in calories.

Factors leading to change in dietary habits:

This change in dietary habits coincided with rapid economic progress and urbanisation along with a surge in the consumption of packaged and processed foods (popularly called “junk foods”).
Other major factors include aggressive advertising to promote “tasty” and “affordable” comfort foods, particularly aimed at younger consumers.
- The ultra-processed food industry in India has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 13.37% between 2011 and 2021. India’s food processing industry is predicted to be worth $535 billion by 2025-26.
- According to a pan India survey conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), 93% of children ate food that was packaged, 68% drank packaged sweetened beverages more than once a week, and 53% ate these foods at least once a day.

Issues:

Categorised as high in fats, salts and sugars (HFSS) foods, these foods are nutritionally low in vitamins, minerals, fibre but are high in calories, fats, salt, sugar, and innumerable preservatives. E.g., Cookies, cakes, chips, namkeen, instant noodles, sugary drinks, frozen meals, canned fruits, Indian sweets, and bakery products.
Scientific evidence shows how junk food has been medically found to weaken the body’s defences against infection, increase blood pressure, lead to a spike in blood sugar, cause weight gain, and also contribute to increased risk of cancer.
India is experiencing an explosion of lifestyle diseases, with unhealthy diets being one of the single largest contributing factors.
- An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study (2023) estimates a glaringly high prevalence of metabolic disorders in India where 11% of the population has diabetes, 35% is hypertensive and almost 40% are suffering from abdominal obesity.

Regulations in India:

A ruling by the Supreme Court of India in 2013 said that any food article which is hazardous or injurious to public health is a potential danger to the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Campaigns: To protect consumers from unhealthy foods and promote their well-being, the Government of India has prioritised the promotion of healthy foods and an active lifestyle through its initiatives such as Eat Right India, the Fit India Movement, and Poshan 2.0 (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition).
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) released the Food Safety and Standards (Safe food and balanced diets for children in school) Regulations, 2020, restricting the sale of HFSS in school canteens/mess premises/hostel kitchens, or within 50 metres of the school campus.
Recently, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued notice to a health drink giant to evaluate and withdraw all misleading advertisements, packaging and labels that brand the product as a “health drink”, citing the product’s high sugar content that can adversely impact the health of children.

Way Forward:

Clear definition of HFSS foods: While the FSSAI has released regulations for restricting the consumption of HFSS (high in fats, salts and sugars) foods, currently, there is no way to “define” or “identify” which foods fall into the category of HFSS foods. Thus, FSSAI should define what exactly constitutes HFSS foods in the Indian context which can enable better implementation of food safety regulations.
Proper list of ingredients in Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL): Currently, a nutrition table is printed in small print on the back of food packets which most of the population neither notices nor comprehends. There should be “warning labels” like “high in salt” or a star rating (Indian Nutrition Rating) based on the overall nutritional profile of the packaged food products, to make informed food choices.
Subsidies for healthy foods: Policies can also be developed to facilitate the positive subsidies for healthy foods such as whole foods, millets, fruits and vegetables that will improve their availability, affordability, and thus greater consumption in rural and urban areas.
Behavioural change campaign: Multimedia campaign targeting children and young adults should have discussions on the health impacts of junk foods; and building on “vocal for local” which promotes local and seasonal fruits and vegetables and traditional foods such as millets and balanced diets.

Hence, through policy interventions and informed decision making, India needs a “Jan Andolan” or people’s movement to switch to healthier and nutritionally diverse diets.

Malas and Madigas

Context: The rivalry between the Malas and Madigas, sub-castes among the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Telangana, has come to the fore yet again after political parties announced candidates for the general elections.

About Mala and Madiga

Madiga:

The Madiga community is a Telugu caste, mainly living in the southern states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. However, they also live in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Odisha.
As per the 2011 census, the Madiga community in the undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana constituted more than 48 per cent of the SC population
Within this community, there are various sub-castes include Bindla, Chindu, Dakkali and Mashti.
They have their own classes; the priestly class is known as Madiga Dasari.
The occupation of this community is primarily associated with tanning leather, making footwear, belts, pouches, toddy-containers, and bags.
This community is known for their expertise in crafting the traditional drum called the Dappu

Mala:

Mala is a Telugu caste from the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They are also present in smaller numbers in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
According to 2001 census data, Malas constituted 41.6 percent (51.39 lakh) of the Scheduled Castes population in the then state of Andhra Pradesh, which also included the present state of Telangana.

DAY-NRLM’s “SARATHI” app

Context: Recently, the government has launched the ‘SARATHI’ App for Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

About SARATHI App:

Developed by the Ministry of Rural Development in partnership with The/Nudge Institute.
It can play a multi-faceted role in ensuring timely, effective, and efficient implementation of the Graduation program targeting the most vulnerable.
It will increase the effectiveness of work at multiple levels, reduce cognitive and administrative load, and ensure transparency.
It also mitigates the risk of leakage of consumption and livelihood support being provided to the target households.

About DAY-NRLM:

Launched in 2011
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Type of scheme: Centrally Sponsored scheme
Aim: Reducing poverty by organizing impoverished rural households into Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Restructured version: Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY)
Key features of the scheme:
- Social mobilisation and promotion and strengthening of self-managed and financially sustainable community institutions of the rural poor women, at least one woman member from each identified rural poor household, is to be brought under the Self Help Group (SHG) network in a time bound manner.
- It addresses financial inclusion from the supply and the demand sides, as the demand side, helps the underprivileged become more financially literate and gives the SHGs and their federations access to catalytic money and In terms of supply, promote the use of financial technologies based on information, communication, and technology (ICT).
- Beneficiaries identified by Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) method instead of the BPL.
- Community Investment Funds (CIF) and Revolving Funds (RF) as resources in perpetuity to the institutions of the poor.
- Encourages public sector banks to set up Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) in all districts.
Initiative under this scheme:
- Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY): To provide safe, affordable and community monitored rural transport services to connect remote rural villages.
- Mahila Kisan Shashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP): To promote agro-ecological practices that increase women farmers income and reduce their input costs and risks.
- Start-Up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP): To support entrepreneurs in rural areas to set up local enterprises.
- Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY): Enhancing the youth's placement-related talents and placing them in economic sectors with comparatively better wages.

Guidelines for Management of Community Forest Resources (CFR) under Forest Rights Act (FRA)

Context: Ministry of Tribal Affairs released Guidelines for management of Community Forest Resources (CFR) under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

About Community Forest Resources

According to Forest Rights Act (FRA), community forest resources mean customary common forest land within traditional or customary boundaries of the village or seasonal use of landscape in the case of pastoral communities, including reserved forests, protected forests and protected areas such as Sanctuaries and National Parks to which the community had traditional access.

Community Rights under FRA

Community rights such as nistar, by whatever name called, including those used in erstwhile Princely States, Zamindari or such intermediary regimes.
Right of ownership, access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce which has been traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries.
Community tenures of habitat and habitation for primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities. Community rights of uses or entitlements such as fish or other products of water bodies, grazing (both settled or transhumant) and traditional seasonal resource access of nomadic or pastoralist communities.
Right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest produce which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.
Right to access to biodiversity and community right to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural diversity.
Rights of settlement and conversion of all forest villages, old habitation, un-surveyed villages and other villages in forests, whether recorded, notified or not into revenue villages.
Any other traditional right customarily enjoyed by the forest dwelling STs and other traditional forest dwellers which are not mentioned above but excluding traditional right of hunting or trapping or extracting a part of the body of any species of wild animal.

Vesting of Community Rights under FRA

Gram Sabha shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights.

Objective of Guidelines for Management of Community Forest Resources (CFR)

Guide the Gram Sabha and Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST)/Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) Communities in managing their Community Forest Resources under FRA.

Duties of holders of forest rights

Section 5 of Forest Rights Act stipulates that holder of any forest right, Gram Sabha and Village Level Institution in areas where there are holders of any forest right are empowered to:

Protect the wildlife, forest, and biodiversity.Ensure adjoining catchment area, water sources and other ecologically sensitive areas are adequately protected.
Ensure that habitat of forest dwelling STs and other traditional forest dwellers is preserved from any form of destructive practices affecting their cultural and natural heritage.
Ensure that decisions taken in Gram Sabha to regulate access to community forest resources and stop any activity which adversely affects wild animals, forest and biodiversity are complied with.

To FRA Rules as amended in 2012, provides that Gram Sabha shall constitute 'Committees for protection of wildlife, forest, and biodiversity, from amongst its members to carry out above provisions.

Salient Features of Guidelines for Management of Community Forest Resource (CFR) under FRA

Constitution of Community Forest Rights Management Committee (CFRMC):

First Meeting of Gram Sabha, for constituting CFRMC shall be convened by Secretary of the concerned Gram Panchayat. Meeting of Gram Sabha will be presided over by traditional headman of the village or by the person elected as the chairperson from amongst its members.
Gram Sabha shall constitute known as Community Forest Rights Management Committee from amongst the members of Gram Sabha
- Consists of 5-11 individuals as members provided that at least 2/3rd members shall be from the Forest Rights holders and at least 1/3rd women members.
- Members of CFRMC will decide on a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and inform Sub-Division Level Committee (SDCL), District Level Committee (DLC) and District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) constituted by State Government/UT Administration related to CFR.
- Tenure of CFRMCs will be decided by Gram Sabha for a minimum period of 3 years to a maximum of 5 years.
- Payment towards honorarium or other allowances to members of CFRMC shall be decided by a resolution of Gram Sabha and will be solely borne from the resources of CFRMC.
- Where Community Forest Resource is recognised over a common patch being conserved and managed by more than one Gram Sabha, the CFRMC shall be constituted by a joint meeting of Gram Sabhas concerned under the guidance of SDLC.

Functions of Community Forest Resource Management Committee (CFRMC):

Gram Sabha shall meet with quorum as and when required and in any case not less than once in six months to approve and review the plans made CFRMC. Secretary of Gram Panchayat shall inform all members of Gram Sabha about the meeting in 7 days in advance.

Carry out all executive functions as decided by Gram Sabha and remain accountable and answerable to the Gram Sabha for its actions.
Prepare a draft conservation and management plan or related documents on behalf of Gram Sabha.
Coordination with other departments/committee for protection of wildlife, forest and biodiversity, catchment areas, water sources and other ecologically sensitive areas, on behalf of Gram Sabha/right-holder communities.
Maintain records relating to functioning of Gram Sabha including executive and financial operations in respect of CFR management.
Ensure that views of Forest right holders of all Gram Sabha, who depend on CFR areas are duly taken care of in CFR Conservation and Management Plan.

Preparation and Execution of CFR Conservation & Management Plan

Conservation and Management Plan shall be known as 'Community Forest Resources Management Plan' (CFRM Plan).
Concerned government agency will provide an authenticated copy of information, records, maps expeditiously, on receipt of a written communication from the Gram Sabha.
Views of forest right holders should be considered while preparing CFRM plan.
Gram Sabhas concerned will meet to arrive at consensus. In the event of lack of consensus, the matter will be referred to District Level CFR Monitoring Committee constituted by State Government/UT Administration related to CFR.
After approval of CFRM plan by Gram Sabha, CFRMC shall coordinate with Forest Department for its integration with the micro plans or working plans or management plans of the Forest Department.

Financial Management of Community Forest Resources

Gram Sabha will be responsible for revenue and expenditure for the functioning of CFRMC.

Norms of financial management shall be:
- A single bank account shall be opened in a Nationalised bank or Post Office in the name of Gram Sabha for implementation of CFRM Plan as approved by Gram Sabha. This bank account will be operated by the office bearers of CFRMC authorised as signatories by a resolution of Gram Sabha.
- All expenses will be according to the rules laid down by the Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha would put a ceiling limit above which expenses may only be authorised through a resolution of the Gram Sabha.
- Annual statement of revenue and expenditure shall be finalised by Gram Sabha within three months of finalisation of financial year and will be audited by Chartered Accountant.
Sources of CFRMC funds:
- Agreed upon contribution from sale of forest produce towards management of CFR.
- Grants for developmental activities related to CFR Management received from Government.
- Funds or grants received from other NGOs for development work related to CFR Management.
- Funds provided by forest department for forest development work, in any.

Monitoring of the Guidelines

State Level Monitoring Committee will constitute District Level CFR Monitoring Committee for Management of Community Forest Resource in the district.
District Level CFR Monitoring Committee (DLMC) will facilitate convergence and integration of CFR conservation and management plans by the Gram Sabha with Working/Management plans of Forest Department.

Muria tribe

Context: The Muria tribe custom mandates that a man weaves a bamboo cradle (vookada) for his newborn baby as a lifetime memory for both the father and the child. The father must go into the forest, collect the bamboo, dry it, and weave the cradle with his own hands, with no help from anyone.

About Muria tribe:

A baby sleeps in a bamboo cradle woven by his father at Chukkalapadu settlement of the Muria tribe in Alluri Sitarama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh.

Location: An adivasi (scheduled tribe) of the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, India. They are part of the Gondi people, and also have a large presence in the nearby states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
Economic activity: They are predominantly agrarian people, and farming and other forest-based activities provide the majority of their income.
Culture: They have a strong cultural history and adhere to their own customs, rituals, and practices. They have a unique system of social structure, and an elder council oversees each of their settlements.
- They are renowned for their vibrant Gaur dance, which is performed during festivals and celebrations, as well as their musical customs and dance forms.
- They practise a hybrid of animistic and Hindu doctrines. They execute religious rites and offerings at village shrines in order to worship a variety of gods and spirits.
- They observe a number of holidays throughout the year, including the harvest festival of Dandari and the new year festival of Narayanpur.
- The Muria people also have a tradition of making and drinking "handia," a hand-crafted rice beer.
- They are renowned for its extensive legacy of handicrafts, which includes a range of products manufactured from materials that are easily accessible locally, like bamboo, fabric, and wood.

Language: The primary tongue is the Muria language, which belongs to the Gondi linguistic family. One of the largest indigenous tribal communities in India, the Gond people speak a Dravidian language called Gondi.
Style & attire: Their fashion sense and garb are a reflection of their voluminous cultural heritage. Muria men and women wear basic yet distinctive traditional clothing that symbolises their rural and agrarian way of life.

About Gond tribe

They are one of the largest tribal groups in India, predominantly residing in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
The name Gond comes from Kond (means green mountains).
Main occupation is Agriculture or daily wages
Their native language, Gondi, belongs to the Dravidian family.
They believe in animistic belief system, where they worship nature spirits and deities. They also revere ancestors and have a rich tradition of folk worship
They have subdivided into various tribes such as raj gonds, madia, dhurve etc.
Rice is a celebratory food enjoyed during festivals, millets like kodo and kutki form the foundation of the Gond diet.

National One Health Mission

Context: The union cabinet approves creation of post of Director of National Institute of One Health at the level of scientist ‘H’ to spearhead National One Health Mission for integrated disease control and pandemic preparedness

About One Health:

One Health is an integrating idea that brings different sectors together to solve the health, productivity, and conservation challenges and has major implications for India.
India with its diverse wildlife, one of the largest livestock populations and high density of human population, carries heightened risks for inter-compartmental spread of diseases.

About National One Health Mission:

Launched in 2022.
The goal is to develop strategies for integrated disease surveillance, joint outbreak response, coordinated research and development (R&D) and ensure seamless information sharing for better control of routine diseases as well as those of a pandemic nature.
It will help India to achieve integrated disease control and pandemic preparedness by institutionalizing the One Health approach
Under the mission, a national network of high-risk pathogen (Biosafety level or BSL 3 and BSL 4) laboratories has been created.
Under the mission, efforts are being made to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning and disease modelling to address these issues and coordinate capacity building in epidemiology across sectors.
- Emerging approaches such as genomic surveillance from wastewater showed promise during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be expanded to other sentinels such as places where animals (livestock or wildlife) congregate for a broader set of diseases to be taken up so that we mainstream these approaches to be a part of routine surveillance across human, livestock and environmental sectors.

13 Ministries and Departments as well as science funding agencies such as Department Of Science and Technology, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Department of Pharmaceuticals, and AYUSH, the Ministries of Health, Animal Husbandry and Environment as well as Defence came together to shape the mission, taking one of the most holistic approaches to one health and pandemic preparedness in the world.
While diseases that affect humans such as COVID-19, diseases that affect animals such as foot and mouth disease or lumpy skin disease can hit productivity and trade. Similarly, these and other diseases such as canine distemper affect wild animals and their conservation. Only a coordinated approach is essential to enhance readiness for prevalent diseases and potential pandemic threats like avian influenza or Nipah.
Pandemic preparedness is incomplete without there being a focus on strong R&D. Focused R&D efforts are crucial for enhancing preparedness against emerging diseases by creating essential tools like vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, which are vital for both India and the global Community.

National Institute of One Health (NIOH)

It is being set up in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
It is part of a National One Health Mission.
The institute will focus on a ‘One Health’ approach, recognizing the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health. This approach is crucial for tackling zoonotic diseases, which can jump from animals to humans.
The director of NIOH will serve as the mission director for the multi-ministerial and multi-sectoral National One Health Mission for integrated disease control and pandemic preparedness by bringing human, anima, plant and environmental sectors together.

Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)

Context: Central government employees enrolled in the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) are required to link their CGHS beneficiary ID with their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID

About Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA):

Nodal ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Component of: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
Aim: To facilitate cashless transactions and manage financial aspects related to healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme (ABS).
Key features: It is a 14 digit account/ number used to link all the health records of a person.
- There are two ways to get an ABHA health ID. Users can use their Aadhaar number along with some basic information like your name, birthday, gender, and address. If users don't have an Aadhaar card, they can also use their driver's license or mobile number.
- It intends to create a digital health ecosystem & aims to promote digitization of healthcare.
- Any individual can enroll in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to generate a Health ID or ABHA, free of cost.
- It integrates electronic health records, facilitating the storage and retrieval of patient information.
- The accounts are designed to be portable across various healthcare providers empanelled under the ABS, allowing beneficiaries to access services seamlessly, regardless of their location.
- It incorporates real-time monitoring mechanisms to track the utilization of funds and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently.
- By promoting digital transactions and maintaining electronic records, enhances transparency and accountability in the healthcare system, reduces the scope for corruption and ensures that funds are utilized for their intended purpose.
Components:
- Beneficiary Identification: It involves the identification and registration of eligible beneficiaries and each beneficiary is assigned a unique health identification number (UHID) to facilitate tracking and management.
- Funds Management: It manages the allocation and disbursement of funds for healthcare services availed by beneficiaries, and ensures that funds are transferred to healthcare providers promptly and securely.
- Claim Settlement: It processes and settles claims submitted by healthcare providers for services rendered to beneficiaries by verifying the authenticity of claims and disbursing payments accordingly.
- Audit and Oversight: It incorporates audit and oversight mechanisms to monitor the utilization of funds and detect any irregularities or discrepancies.
Benefits: Reduces out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries and enhances access to quality healthcare.
- By facilitating cashless transactions and electronic health records, it minimizes administrative hassles and delays, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care.
- Through data generation, it helps in addressing healthcare challenges effectively and improving the overall quality of care.

Steps to Create/Link ABHA number with the CGHS beneficiary ID:

Ensure that the mobile number is linked with the CGHS card and Aadhar card is linked with the aforementioned phone number.

4 steps:
- Step 01: Open CGHS website http://www.cghs.nic.in and Log-in via Beneficiary Log-in.
- Step 02: Move to the ‘Update’ Tab and Click to ‘Create/Link ABHA ID’
- Step 03: Click on ‘Create/Link ABHA ID’.
- Step 04: If beneficiary does not have an ABHA number, then click on ‘I don’t have an ABHA number’
  - Enter Aadhar number
  - Accept the Consent Message
  - Click on Get Aadhar OTP
  - Enter Aadhar OTP
  - Click on ‘Verify OTP’
- If the data is successfully matched, the ABHA number is created and successfully linked with the CGHS beneficiary ID.
- In case a beneficiary already has an ABHA number, In step 04, instead of clicking on ‘I don’t have an ABHA number’, enter the 14 digit ABHA number and proceed by verifying OTP.

Learn more about the Ayushman Bharat scheme (ABS) here: https://compass.rauias.com/current-affairs/five-years-ayushman-bharat/"