Content:
1 .Cash transfer schemes for women as new poll plank
2. A cut in time
Cash transfer schemes for women as new poll plank
Context : Direct cash transfer schemes are gaining traction in India, especially targeting women.
Relevance: GS 2 ( Governance)
Practice Question: Evaluate reasons behind the growing popularity of direct cash transfer schemes specially targeting women in India. Highlight concerns associated ?(250 Words)
- Ex 1 : Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (monthly transfer of ₹1,500 )
- Ex 2:Jharkhand’s Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana transfer of ₹1,000 per month.
Reasons for the rising Popularity :
Growing prominence of women voters
- Women’s electoral participation increased from 47% in 1962 to 66% in 2024.
- Women increasingly voting independently, creating a distinct “women constituency.”
- The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill and emphasis on “Nari Shakti” highlight the rising political clout of women voters.
- Parties aim to secure this crucial swing vote in tightly contested elections.
Efficiency of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Reduced leakage:DBT Bypasses middlemen.
- Direct relationships between political leaders and citizens, established by technology.
- This “techno-patrimonial” approach strengthens perceptions of government benevolence.
Immediate Political Gains
- Cash transfers are quicker to implement and yield immediate results compared to long-term welfare projects like healthcare or education reforms.
- Regular payments remind beneficiaries of the ruling party’s generosity, reinforcing its electoral appeal.
- Populist schemes resonate with the poor, who constitute a significant voter base.
Homogenization of Welfare Policies
- Across party lines, states are adopting similar schemes, reflecting a lack of innovation in welfare policy.
- Easy Winning Formula : Opposition parties also replicate cash transfer policies as winning strategies, highlighting limited vision for alternative welfare models.
Concern:
- These schemes do not address structural issues like poverty and unemployment.
Encouraging Privatization
- By relying on DBT, the state nudges citizens toward private alternatives for healthcare, education, and other basic needs.
- This shift reduces pressure on the state to improve public infrastructure and services.
State Capacity Deficit
- The focus on “efficiency” through technology sidesteps the challenge of enhancing state capacity to deliver quality public goods.
- The poor, unlike the rich, cannot afford to disengage from public services.
A Cut In Time
Context:
- A 2022 initiated UN resolution called The Global Plastic Treaty aims to end plastic pollution.
- Five rounds of discussions including the Busan meeting have failed to agree on a framework.
Relevance: GS 3( Environment)
Practice Question: Explain how to resolve the deadlock of Global Plastic Treaty between the countries. Suggest a possible framework for other pollutions as well.(250 Words )
Deadlock :Nations are split between advocating for plastic production cuts and emphasizing recycling.
1. Producers of Virgin Polymer (Developing Countries & Oil Economies):
- View production cuts as trade barriers.
- Promote recycling as a solution instead.
2. Environmental Advocates (EU, Pacific Island Nations, etc.):
- Cite plastic’s health and ecological hazards.
- Support gradual production cuts to reduce pollution.
3. India’s Position:
- Opposes production cuts due to economic dependency on plastic.
- Recycling capacity is limited to one-third of annual plastic waste.
Analysis of Impacts:
- Health Costs: Microplastics harm ecosystems, enter food chains, and affect human health.
- Environmental Costs: Cause marine pollution, biodiversity loss, and strain on waste systems.
- Economic Costs: Reliance on plastic in manufacturing and packaging industries.
- High costs of transitioning to alternatives.
Way Forward:
- Global Consensus: Blend production cuts with improved recycling and financial support for developing nations.
- India’s Role: Boost recycling infrastructure and plan a phased reduction in plastic usage.
- Focus on health and ecological research to guide policies.
- Collaborative Solutions: Invest in biodegradable alternatives.
- Establish international funding to support economic transitions.
